◄ What Does Colossians 1:10 Mean? ►

Paul had never been to Colossae, but had received favourable reports from Epaphras, his faithful brother in Christ, of the spiritual condition of this little band of believers. He had heard of their genuine faith in the Lord, their deep love for one another, and their joyful hope in that which was laid-up for them in heaven. Paul had a deep devotional for these dear saints in this insignificant little town of Colossae, and he prayed fervently for them in a very special way.

His prayer was not for their general well-being, nor even for the temporal necessities of life. His prayer was not that they would become mighty preachers or great evangelists. Paul's prayer was a prayer of thanks and rejoicing for their faith, hope, and love, and it was a request to their Heavenly Father that they might be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom, grace and spiritual understanding. Paul prayed that they might be granted wisdom and godly discernment in every spiritual matter.

But there was a reason that Paul fervently prayed for spiritual understanding and godly wisdom. His deep desire was that they would walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, and live their lives to honour His name and please His heart. He prayed that they would bear fruit in every good work and daily increase in their knowledge of God and their love for their Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul himself knew the joy of entering into a deeper knowledge of Christ and entering into closer intimacy with his Saviour, and he earnestly desired that these brothers and sisters in Christ would come to know Him in a similar way. Paul prayed that they would know the power of His Resurrection, and be enabled to share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.

Not only was the content and subject matter of Paul's prayer for these saints so significant (where he earnestly prayed for their spiritual wisdom, godly discernment, fruitful lives, and a deepening intimacy with the Lord), but he demonstrated that earnest and frequent prayer for all the Body of Christ should be our own joyful priority. For the earnest, ongoing, and heartfelt prayers of a righteous man are effective, have tremendous power, and accomplish much.

Heavenly Father, thank You for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank You that we are one in Him and all members of His Body, which is the Church. I pray that You would grant each one the necessary wisdom, grace, and spiritual understanding to walk in a manner that is worthy of You. I pray that we all may grow in grace and bear fruit in every good work that You have prepared for us to do. Help us to increase in all wisdom and knowledge of You, and grow in intimacy with our Saviour Jesus Christ, day by day. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.