As Christian believers, we are called to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will and to walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him (Colossians 1:9-10). This is the heart’s cry of the Apostle Paul as he writes to the church in Colossae – a desire for the people of God to be empowered by divine wisdom and understanding.
The Power of Earnest Prayer
In Colossians 1:9, Paul declares, “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” What a powerful statement! Paul was not just offering a casual prayer, but persistently interceding for the Colossian believers, desiring that they be thoroughly equipped with God’s revelation and insight.
The phrase “do not cease to pray” carries the idea of continuous, earnest supplication. It’s not just a one-time request, but a deep, ongoing longing for the people of God to be filled to the full with His knowledge and understanding. This kind of prayer is born out of a sincere concern for the spiritual welfare of others and a passion to see them walk in the fullness of God’s plan.
The Difference between Casual and Earnest Prayer
How often do we find ourselves casually bringing requests before the Lord, without the same level of fervent desire that characterized Paul’s prayers? It’s easy to fall into the trap of treating prayer as a routine or perfunctory activity, rather than a genuine expression of our heart’s yearning for God’s will to be done.
“You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:3)
The passage in James reminds us that our motives and desires matter greatly when it comes to effective prayer. If our prayers are driven by selfish ambition or a desire for personal gratification, we should not expect God to answer them in the way we hope.
Praying with the Right Desires
The Apostle Paul modeled for us what it looks like to pray with the right desires. He didn’t just ask God to bless the Colossians; he specifically desired that they be filled with the knowledge of God’s will and empowered by spiritual wisdom and understanding.
This kind of prayer goes beyond our own personal needs or preferences. It reflects a deep concern for the spiritual growth and kingdom impact of those we are lifting up before the Lord. When we pray with this kind of selfless, God-centered desire, we can be confident that our prayers are aligned with the heart of God.
Discerning God’s Will through Earnest Prayer
The ultimate goal of Paul’s prayer for the Colossians was that they would be able to discern and walk in the will of God. He knew that true spiritual wisdom and understanding could only come from a deep, intimate knowledge of the Lord and His purposes.
“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:17)
As we follow Paul’s example and pray earnestly for ourselves and others to be filled with God’s knowledge and will, we position ourselves to receive the divine guidance and empowerment necessary to live lives that are fully pleasing to Him.
The Urgency of our Time
The Apostle Paul recognized the spiritual challenges that the Colossian believers were facing, with false teachers and worldly influences threatening to lead them astray. In the same way, we are living in a time of great spiritual upheaval, where deception and compromise are rampant.
More than ever, the church needs to be grounded in the truth of God’s Word and empowered by the Holy Spirit to stand firm against the schemes of the enemy. This is why Paul’s prayer for the Colossians is so relevant and crucial for us today.
Filling Our Lives with Godly Desires
As we consider the urgency of our time, let us examine the desires that are driving our prayers. Are we genuinely seeking God’s will and wisdom, or are we often more concerned with our own comfort, success, or personal agenda?
The Bible reminds us that our desires shape our prayers, and our prayers, in turn, shape the trajectory of our lives and the lives of those around us. When we align our desires with God’s heart, we unlock the power of prayer to transform individuals, families, churches, and even entire communities.
A Challenge and a Call to Action
My dear brothers and sisters, let us heed the example of the Apostle Paul and earnestly pray for one another to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will. Let us cry out to the Lord, asking Him to open our eyes to see His purposes and empower us by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
As we do so, let us also examine our own hearts and desires, ensuring that they are centered on the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom. For when our prayers are fueled by this kind of selfless, God-honoring desire, we can be confident that the Lord will answer and move mightily in our lives and in the lives of those we love.
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12)
Let us press on, my friends, ever-seeking to know God’s will and walk in His ways. For in doing so, we will experience the fullness of His blessing and the transformative power of His Spirit – not only in our own lives, but in the lives of all those around us.