PAUL'S PRAYER

Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

In Col. 1:9-14 we are told that Paul prayed for seven things:

(1) That they might be given PERCEPTION. We have this in verse 9. He prayed that these Colossians "might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding". We need spiritual enlightenment in order that we might know the will of God and do it. By nature we cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God.

(2) That they might lead lives PLEASING to the Lord. This is mentioned in verse 10, "that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing ...".

(3) That they might engage in PROFITABLE service. Verse 10 says, "being fruitful in every good work ..." Until we become Christians our lives are unprofitable, and it is only when we are converted that they are made profitable. The will of God is that our lives should manifest the fruit of the Spirit. In John 15, we find that there are three stages: fruit, verse 2; more fruit, verse 2; and much fruit, verses 5 and 8.

(4) That they might PROGRESS in the Christian life, Verse 10 continues, “ .. . and increasing in the knowledge of God”, and the operative word is the word "increasing". Paul longed that these Christians should grow. See the beautiful picture in Hos. 14:5-7. The Christian life is in three stages: "little children", young men' and "fathers", 1 John 2:12-14.

(5) That they might be endued with POWER. Verse 11 goes on, "strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power". Paul is praying that they might have the experience of Pentecost, Acts 2:4, for none of the things of which we have been thinking are possible in our own strength. Potentially, the power of the Holy Spirit has been given to us; but what about experimentally?

(6) That they might have PATIENCE. Notice these three vital words in verse 11, "unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." "Patience" here means "endurance in the face of trial", compare Jas. 5:11. "Longsuffering" indicates "gentleness" and "loving kindness". 1 Cor. 13:4. The apostle prays that these Christians might endure in the face of fierce testing, that they might do so with a gentle and loving spirit, and that they might be filled with joy, even though called upon to suffer for their Lord.

(7) That they might be filled with PRAISE. It is important to notice the difference between praise and prayer. There are some things for which we are to pray; but there are blessings for which we are to thank God because He has already given them to us, notice the word "hath" three times in verses 12 and 13, and the word "have" in verse 14. We do not need to pray, nor should we pray for these things which we have. What are they?

(a) His PROVISION, verse 12. He has given us an "inheritance". Thank God.

(b) His POWER, verse 13. See what He has delivered us from and translated us to! Thank God!

(c) His PARDON, verse 14. How we should thank God that all our sins have been removed from us, Psa. 103:12; blotted out, Isa. 44:22; cast into the depths of the sea, Mic. 7:19; and that God will remember them against us no more, Heb. 10:17. Thank God!