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Praying Intentionally


"For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven't stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing [to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy." (Colossians. 1.9-11)



Do you have some key people you pray for everyday, such as family, employees, church family? Paul models for us, in this verse, praying for people on a regular basis, perhaps daily or at least weekly is a way to pray "without ceasing".



Notice the focus of Paul's prayer. He did not pray for blessing, or provision, or many other things expected to be the focus of such a prayer. Instead, he prayed for key things that have to do with effectiveness in the kingdom. be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding " He is interceding before the Lord asking the Father to fill the Colossians with the knowledge of His will. That is a highly appropriate thing to pray for anybody.

Our effectiveness is directly a function of how well we know and follow God's will in a matter. Paul gives the reason why: ÔÇ£that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing [to Him], bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God." Being filled with the knowledge of God's will leads to bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being fully pleasing to God, and walking worthy of the Lord. That is an amazing statement. We think that all those things are accomplished by hard work. But this passage is telling us that it is the knowledge of God's will that leads to this amazing list of accomplishments. This indeed is a worthy thing to pray for.



But he did not just ask that they be filled with the knowledge of God's will, but he asked that the filling would be accomplished "in all wisdom and spiritual understanding". Paul is asking that they will understand that will in the spiritual realm and have the wisdom to apply it. This is a very complete request, an in-depth request, a request that is laying the groundwork for future action. I would like to be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, wouldnÔÇÖt you? WouldnÔÇÖt your family and friends and leadership team?



In the next sentence Paul asks that the Colossians be strengthened in all power, not just some power, but all power. And this power is "according to His glorious might". How great do you think that power is? Do you think there would be any lack in that power? If you and I were filled with power like that, do you think there would be any limitation to what God might accomplish through us?



And note the reason for this filling with power: "for all endurance and patience, with joy." It is this power that enables us to endure the trials that are sure to come, with patience and with joy.



So let me encourage you to pray for loved ones and friends:
1) without stopping, perhaps daily,
2) pray for them to be filled with the knowledge of God's will, and
3) pray for them to be strengthened in all power, according to God's glorious might. Then ask them to do the same for you. And watch to see what God might do through you and in you in response to those prayers.