PRAYING FOR OTHERS
“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.” Colossians 1:9-11
The news that Paul was receiving concerning the church in Colosse was extremely encouraging. The believers were growing in grace and in their love for the brethren. With the news coming out of Colosse being so positive, it is interesting to see what the apostle’s response would be. He said that, “since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you.”
We would certainly benefit by following such a powerful example. Most of us would probably agree that we usually do most of our praying for those that we hear are in serious spiritual trouble. They definitely need our consistent intercession. But we should also know that those who are doing well need our prayers as well. Those who are growing and serving will be facing the attacks of the enemy. Satan does not want to see believers witnessing and serving the Lord, and he will do all that he can to disrupt their progress.
We can be certain that a number of these Colossian disciples were relatively new to the faith. New Christians stand in need of our faithful prayers. We should learn to pray for the newer believers and those who are growing steadily in the Lord, as well as those in serious spiritual trouble.
The Lord uses Paul to give us insight into some things that we should pray for. The Scriptures tell us that Paul prayed that they might be filled with wisdom, with the knowledge of God’s will, that they would have a godly walk, that they might live pleasing to God, that they would be fruitful, that they would grow in their knowledge of God, that they would experience His power, and that they would develop in their endurance and joyfulness. What a precise and practical list of prayer requests. Because God’s Word records the fact that Paul prayed for these specific things, we can be confident He would have us to ask for the same things for each other. May the Lord help us in our determination to pray for one another.