Let's Follow Paul's Example!

He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day. -John Bunyan

You hear advice being given practically every day regarding the importance and power of prayer. But what is the purpose of prayer, really? Perhaps we can find some answers by taking a look at Paul’s example (Colossians 1:9-14). In the epistles of Paul, we customarily find him telling his readers what he prayed for on their behalf.

In his epistle to the Colossians, Paul was prompted to pray unceasingly for them. Although he had not met many of them personally, he had heard of their faith and love (Colossians 1:3-8).

What did he pray for? The answer is found in (Colossians 1:9-14). And by closely studying this passage, we can learn not only what Paul desired for the Colossians but also what God would desire for ALL Christians, including us today! As we carefully examine this prayer of Paul, let's do so with this in mind: This is what God desires of us as well!

First, God desires that we be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Not just a small measure but satiated, or filled to the brim, with full measure of this knowledge. Thus, our knowledge of God's will is to be something we have come by through practice and application in our lives Why is being filled with such knowledge so important? Because God's people have always been destroyed by a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6), and it is essential to our renewal in becoming like Christ (Colossians 3:8-10). To possess knowledge of God's will in all wisdom requires prayer and reading the word (James 1:5; Ephesians 2:3-5). So naturally we should ask, “Is this prayer being answered in OUR lives? Are we doing anything to assure that it is?”

Next, notice from Paul's prayer that it is evidently God's desire that we have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him (Colossians 1:10-14). The objective here is that of being filled with the knowledge of God’s will to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the Lord (Ephesians 4:1). The Lord we serve, and the calling we have received, is certainly a "worthy" one!

Our conduct should be one to honor Christ, not shame Him! We should conduct ourselves in a manner fully pleasing Him. Of course, there is conduct which displeases Christ (Luke 6:46), but conduct coming from one who is first filled with the knowledge of God's will is more likely to fully please Him! What kind of conduct are we talking about? Conduct worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, is one in which we are: being fruitful in every good work (Colossians 1:10; Titus 2:14, 3:1; Ephesians 2:10; Matthew 5:16, 25, 37-40; James 1:27); increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Psalms 19:1; Romans 1:18-20; John 14:7-9; Colossians 2:9); being strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power (Colossians 1:11; 2 Timothy 1:7-8; Philippians 4:13; Ephesians 1:15-20; Ephesians 3:16; Ephesians 3:20); “for all patience and longsuffering with joy" (is this not the "fruit" the Spirit is supposed to produce (Galatians 5:22-23), so that even as we experience trials in this life, we may do so with joyful perseverance?

Are we experiencing this strength which God gives to those who do His will? And are we giving thanks to the Father (Colossians 1:12-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Ephesians 2:1-5; Revelations 1: 5-6)? Are we ever giving thanks to the Father for these wonderful blessings?

Such is the prayer of Paul for the Colossians. So what can we learn from it? We learn what God desires of us as well, and what kind of conduct that is necessary to be fully pleasing to the Lord! In conclusion, dear readers, may this prayer of Paul be one that we ask for ourselves, ask for our brethren, and indeed, that we desire for all!

Prayer:

Lord, what is Your will that I do? I am completely open to Your plan for me. I desire to live only in You and to be guided by You forever. Grant that Your holy wll may be carried out perfectly in me. Amen ~ St. Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)

May God bless you,

Sandee