We Haven’t Stopped Praying For You
Colossians 1:9-12 Christian Standard Bible
9 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, 10 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, 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.
Paul’s desire and motivation was to see those he had led to Christ come to a full and mature walk with the Lord. Here we see Paul’s commitment to prayer. He says since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are called to pray without ceasing. We must understand that there are battles we will face daily. Those we are discipling will face battles daily. We must pray without ceasing, lifting them up before the throne of God. Asking God to move in their hearts and lives. One of the great lies of the devil is that prayer doesn’t accomplish anything. That God doesn’t hear our prayers. We know that if we pray according to His will that He not only hears us but that we will receive what we have asked of Him (1 John 5:14-15).
What was it that Paul prayed? Paul prayed that they would be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Why is this important? The life of a believer changes when they begin to understand the will of God for their lives. Instead of simply existing from one day to the next, they begin to live on mission. Paul’s prayer is that the Holy Spirit would give them knowledge. True knowledge and revelation can only come from the Lord alone and is often released when prayer take place.
Paul prayed that they would walk worthy of the Lord. The word worthy is the Greek word axiōs and it means worthily. In a manner befitting or deserving (of some person or other object).[1] God calls us to a higher place. We are not called to pursue or live for the desires of this world. We are called to crucify the sinful nature daily and be led, filled, and guided by The Holy Spirit. This only happens as the Holy Spirit teaches us to do this daily.
By walking worthy of the Lord, they would please him, bear fruit for every good work, and grow in the knowledge of the Lord. This whole prayer is about spiritual maturity. We are not called to remain spiritual infants. We are called to move from glory to glory. To see the very character and nature of Christ produced within us. This can only happen through the work and power of the Holy Spirit. The more we rely on Him, the more we become like Jesus. The more we let go of our own wisdom and strength, the more that God’s strength and wisdom takes over. The very life of Jesus is manifested in us as we simply abide in Him and His word.
Paul goes on to pray being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might. The word power is the Greek word dynamis and it means power, deed of power. Literally, it describes the ability to perform an activity; by extension, it refers to someone in a position of power or the force of a person’s action.[2] It is where we get our word dynamite. The power of God released in our lives is the power needed to accomplish His purposes. What does God tell us about His strength? His strength is made perfect in our weakness. What does He tell us about His grace? His grace is sufficient for all things. The plans and purposes of God are much greater than us, but it requires us to fully rely on God and His grace every moment of every day.
Paul continues to pray so that you may have great endurance and patience. The word endurance is the Greek word ménō and it means a. “to stay in a place,” figuratively “to remain in a sphere,” b. “to stand against opposition,” “to hold out,” “to stand fast,” c. “to stay still,” and d. “to remain,” “to endure,” “to stay in force.[3] It is God’s staying power that is provided to us. The ability to stand and fight is given by God. The ability to endure the attacks and opposition of the enemy and overcome is provide by God. All that we need is provided by Jesus Christ. But for us to live this out, it must come through revelation of The Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit reveals the deep truths of God to our heart and mind is when the way we live truly changes.
Paul finishes this prayer with joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. Our inheritance is found through Jesus Christ. Everything we have is a gift from Almighty God. Nothing is earned. Our Father loves us unconditionally and it is Him who enables us to come to Jesus Christ. No one can come to Jesus unless the Father enables Him. Our ability to recognize and understand who Jesus is, is a gift of Almighty God. It is a work of His grace. In Jesus Christ we have been brought out of the dominion of darkness and into the marvelous light. In Him we are brand new creations. The old has gone, and the new has come.
Prayer
Father thank you for your grace. Thank you for those who have prayed over my life before I came to Jesus. Thank you for all those who prayed over me as I grew in my relationship with Jesus. May I grow in greater intimacy and maturity every day. May you remove anything from my life that grieves you or is against your word. Father take my life and use it for your glory and your honor. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!
[1] Rick Brannan, ed., Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, Lexham Research Lexicons (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020).
[2] Eric Lewellen, “Miracles,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).
[3] Gerhard Kittel, Gerhard Friedrich, and Geoffrey William Bromiley, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 1985), 581.
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