“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;”- Col. 1:9-11
Paul begins this letter by commending them ( vs. 1- 8). Then he comforts them by assuring them of his prayers ( vs. 9-11). There is a great lesson in this for us. Most of our praying is for the unsaved, sick, suffering, and needy. That is well and good, but there is another group that we need to consider. We also need to pray for those who are saved, faithfully serving the Lord, and succeeding in spiritual matters — those such as Paul addresses in this letter. Far too often they are off the prayer list because it is assumed they doing so well. Paul didn’t make that mistake. He was so encouraged by what he heard about them that he praised them–but he also prayed for them.
We seem to forget that such people don’t get where they are by accident. They progress while under attack by Satan and they struggle with temptation just like everyone else. While they are faithful servants and a blessing to others, they are in great need of prayer lest they stumble and fall or cease to grow. Don’t assume that because they are doing so well that they don’t need your prayers. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Although they are much like Jesus they are still far from Him. They could be, should be, and desire to be more like Christ.
However, because they are the most dedicated members in the church their needs are often overlooked. Some suppose they don’t need our prayers when in reality they might need our prayers the most. Notice the needs that Paul mentioned in vs. 9-11, ” 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;”.
Try this– make a list of all the most faithful, spiritual minded, Christ-like people you know. Have you been praying for them? Do you not see a need to pray for them? Will you start praying for them?– HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
