Haven’t stopped praying for you
Monday, February 4th, 2008 at 2:51 am (GMT+2) by Petar“…because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints…For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may 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 joyfully giving thanks to the Father” (Colossians 1:4,9-12, NIV)…
From our previous studies on different passages on prayer we know that prayer is not only personal, but also communal. It also ought not to be focused on our own will, but on God’s will instead. In the letter to the Colossians you will find the verses quoted above, which teach us even more about praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus… or in other words – how to pray for one another.
The first important lesson comes from verse 4. Apostle Paul and Timothy do pray for the believers from Colossae, but not because they are best friends or have some other type of a special relationship. As a matter of fact, Paul isn’t even the founder of this church. They two pray for these believers simply because they are their brothers and sisters in Christ.
Today the case seems to be different. In a time when there is more Christians than ever before, and communications are made easier by the hour, it seems that more and more people are in need of something extra in order to pray for their fellow-believers – whether we admit this or not, it is a fact that we can easily do much better. And God’s word teaches us precisely this! Do you pray continually for believers who are not from your vicinity? If not – what is preventing you from doing so, and what can you do to overcome it?
The second lesson from the passage can be summarized in this phrase: have not stopped. In previous devotionals we have seen that continuous prayer is important, but how much more important it is to pray so when it is about brothers and sisters, most of whom live lives far harder than yours and mine! Next time when you pray – remember the Christians who do not have the luxury of worshipping in public because they will be killed if they do so. Or think of the ones who daily face death – their children’s or relatives’ due to malnutrition. Do not forget also your brothers and sisters who are expelled from their families because they have chosen to be part of God’s family, the same you are a part of. Begin to regularly pray for these people, who although far in distance are your closest ones in what matters most – faith.
The next important issue which this passage addresses is the one of “How do I pray for these people that I don’t know?” The easiest to do is to simply follow Paul’s prayer for them. Pray that the Christians will know God’s will and be filled with His wisdom and spiritual understanding. And just as me and you, all other believers need these things in order to live a life worthy of God’s calling. Moreover, knowing God’s will and having spiritual understanding is far more important than any physical healing or material provision.
For the persecuted ones – pray that God’s Holy Spirit will fill them with boldness and courage for sharing their faith. Pray also for God’s protection.
For the Christians who live in misery and poverty and are threatened by all kinds of diseases daily – pray that God will send to them fellow-believers who have the necessary resources to help them and that the latter will serve persistently and in love. Pray also for God’s supernatural provisions – for He is a great and mighty God who doesn’t know what “impossible” means. Pray for protection from natural disasters as well.
For the believers who are young in their faith – pray that God will send helpers who will encourage them and up build them, and will also embrace them with love.
Pray that God will reveal to you through His Holy Spirit for whom and how to pray daily. Pray for His help so that your prayers may be persistent.
Should you need help – send us a message and we will do our best to answer your questions and send you some guidelines for finding more information on the topic in the Bible.
Related posts
Tags: colossians, community, devotional, On Prayer, reflection, unity
February 5th, 2008 at 2:18 am
Petar I want to first thank you for your birthday greeting! It was greatly appreciated! I had an awesome day celebrating with some friends and family here in the Kansas City area. It’s just hard to believe that I’m another year older, though. My mind doesn’t think it – but my body does at times!
I really like what you are saying here about prayer and community. In fact, it connects a little with what we’re doing in my classes right now on spiritual formation. What you wrote resonates with our studies on marginalization around the world.
You said, “For the Christians who live in misery and poverty and are threatened by all kinds of diseases daily – pray that God will send to them fellow-believers who have the necessary resources to help them and that the latter will serve persistently and in love.”
This is important to me because even though there are many in our American cities who are in need, I know the need is far greater around the world than here. So, although I support financially organizations that do help in these instances, my prayers can make an even bigger difference because God is far more aware of these needs and the resources that are needed and can send the right people to the right place.
So thanks for this reminder on prayer. Know that I’m praying for these needs. And that I’m praying for you and Petra too! (You need to write a book with me on these things! You have a way with words that are incredible.)
Keep in touch.
Joy in Jesus
Mickey
February 6th, 2008 at 1:47 am
Hi, Mickey!
I’m glad to hear you’ve had a good birthday celebration!
I’m also happy that what God taught me through this passage has also been helpful and encouraging to you. If not much else, taking care of the Prayer for Bulgaria web-site has taught me a whole lot of lessons concerning prayer. But I’m excited to see that the results are reaching beyond my personal life.
Thanks for stopping by once again! I always brings joy to me when I receive a word or two from a friend.
Till later!
Petar
February 1st, 2009 at 11:44 am
Please Pray for Street Bullies In The Name Of Jesus Christ & Pray For Schools
I’M PRAYING FOR YOU AND OTHER PEOPLE AROUND ME
Pray For World Homeless Families to In The Name Of Jesus Christ
Hear our prayers, O God, In The name of Jesus Christ I Pray
Hear our prayers, O God;
Incline your ear to us,
and grant us your
February 1st, 2009 at 11:45 am
Please pray for a miracle for Heather to get a Job In The Name of Jesus Christ
God bless yell
Thank yell for Praying
Hear our prayers, O God, In The name of Jesus Christ I Pray
Hear our prayers, O God;
Incline your ear to us,
and grant us your peace.
February 1st, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Hi prayerwarrior!
You can also share your prayer needs on the following site: http://molitvata.com/?mod=home&lang=en. Lots of people visit it daily and pray faithfully for the needs there.
We’ll be praying for the needs you have shared!
Thanks for stopping by,
Petar
March 22nd, 2009 at 1:38 am
Pray For Israel & Jews… Pray For Mother In Israel. Pray For USA Mothers, & russians women, Pray For Muslim Women To, Please. Pray For Working Mothers, Pray For Singel Mothers, & Singel Great GrainMother. Will Have Peace in There Heart. Mothers Who Do Not Know U As There Saver Salvation Will Get Saved In The Blood Of Jesus Christ
Pray for Your Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ:
The Apostle Paul gives us two prayer examples of what to pray for regarding the Body of Christ in Ephesians 1:15-23 and 3:14-21. Pray these prayers for your Church Leaders, your Brothers and Sisters in Christ, and for yourself.
God promised Abraham He will bless those who blessed him and curse those who curse him. This promise was not only for Abraham, but for all of his covenant descendants – the Jewish people. Pray that our leaders will make the correct decisions to make our country a blessing to Israel. Also, Christians need to pray that the nation of Israel will recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah and Savior, that they will have peace and success, and that they will possesses the land that God has promised them. (Genesis 12:2-3, 15:18-21, 17:8, 17:21, 22:15-18, Deuteronomy 30:2-5)
Pray For World Homeless Families. & Please Pray For Homeless Women to… In The Name of Jesus Christ & all There health Problem In The Name Of Jesus Christ
Pray For In The Name Of Jesus Christ
Prays for President Obama and Wife, & Children’s and his new administration. Your efforts will work powerfully in our nation.
Attorney General
—Eric Holder
Secretary of State
—Hillary Clinton
Chief of Staff
—Rahm Emanuel
Chair, Council of Economic Advisers
—Christina Romer
If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (NIV)
Pray For Our Youth & Young Adults.In The Name Of Jesus Christ
A family that prays together stays together.
Please Pray for Street Bullies In The Name Of Jesus Christ & Pray For Schools
Pray For The Family Live Be side me & Around me. Bless There Home & Work & Shool. Bless There health to, & The One’s who do not know Jesus As There Saver Salvation will Get Saved In The Blood Of Jesus.
Prayer of a Mother whose children are no longer at home. In The Name Of Jesus Christ
I’M RAYING FOR YOU AND OTHER PEOPLE AROUND ME
Prayer for families is the very foundation that keeps a family unit together. Have you heard the phrase “A family that prays together stays together”? The concept is true – a family that has their focus on praying to the Lord Jesus Christ has a foundation that may be shaken at times, but it will withstand all that comes against them.
Prayers for Justice and Peace
Please Pray for Other People Have Heart Problem. & Diabetes, In The Name Of Jesus Christ &, Athesma Problems.
And the Blind In The Name Of Jesus Christ. Pray For Israel & Jews… Pray For World Homeless Families. & Please Pray For Homeless Women to… In The Name of Jesus Christ & all There health Problem In The Name Of Jesus Christ… Prays for President Obama and Wife, & Children’s and his new administration. Your efforts will work powerfully in our nation.
Pray For World Homeless Families. & Please Pray For Homeless Women to… In The Name of Jesus Christ & all There health Problem In The Name Of Jesus Christ…
Hear our prayers, O God, In The name of Jesus Christ I Pray
I do pray that any of our nation’s leaders who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior would develop a relationship with Him. Pray that those who are believers would grow closer to Him each day. In The Name Of Jesus Christ I Pray. Amen
Hear our prayers, O God, In The name of Jesus Christ I Pray
Praying For Every One Around Me
Pray For Our Enemies
O God, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
I do pray that any of our nation’s leaders who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior would develop a relationship with Him. Pray that those who are believers would grow closer to Him each day. In The Name Of Jesus Christ I Pray. Amen