Prayer with Punch

“To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ:

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father.

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all God’s people—  that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven… 

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,  being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,  and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.  For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,  in whom we have redemption.” Colossians 1:2-5,9-14

Paul is in tune with important things, and his letters direct their readers to what matters most. He’s interested in spiritual character and growth, and hinging present issues with eternal hope. He wastes no time on the mundane and material that isn’t connected with, or would detract from, their walk with the Lord. His deep relationship with Him prompts powerful prayer.

Paul begins with thanksgiving borne of interest and discovery of the work of Christ’s gospel. Planted in welcoming hearts, it has blossomed into faith, producing the fruit of hope and love. His desire is that they not stop growing but increase in the knowledge of God and passion to express His goodness and grace in their world and circumstances.

Often we base prayers on the urgencies of the moment: what we want or need NOW. Clipped by stress and blinded to the long view, we fail to grasp the deeper possibilities of God’s will for His people. How can we bear fruit in every good work if no real work is required? How do we learn patience and endurance if all is easy, healthy, and comfortable? Why would we desire to increase in knowledge if we already know everything?

If we begin prayer with thanksgiving for all we take time to hear and observe, how might God reshape what we pray? How would contemplation of eternal glory and spiritual rigor reorder our wanting, and asking? If we really love those for whom we pray, what does God care most about for them?

Studying and voicing prayers from Scripture helps prioritize a godly mindset. Setting prayer in a framework of who God the Father is and what He’s already done inspires the lens through which we see His will and the possibilities of how to arrive there. For those we love and serve, how might He reorient our thinking and approach? Our end goal? What would change in our prayers if we were more concerned for spiritual growth, God’s will done on earth, and eternal glory? (1 Chronicles 29:10-19; Matthew 6:7-13; Ephesians 3:14-21)

Hallowed Father, help me pray boldly and effectively, for Your will and glory.