Colossians 1:9-11
The Apostle Paul was very intentional about encouraging the Church through his prayers. He was very explicit in telling them how he prayed for each one of them.
Paul Taught Us How to Pray Specifically for Our Loved Ones: v. 9
“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.”
1. Pray for their salvation . Acts 4:12
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
2. Pray for their health . James 5:13-15
“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.”
3. Pray for their work . 2 Timothy 3:17
“so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
4. Pray for their relationships . 2 Corinthians 5:18
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:”
5. Pray for their attitudes . Philippians 4:8-9
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
6. Pray for their future . Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Paul Taught Us to Pray for Their Spiritual Understanding: v. 10
“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,”
1. Spiritual understanding is gained through prayer .
Romans 8:26
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”
2. Spiritual understanding is gained through God’s Word .
Romans 5:1-8, 20
3. Spiritual understanding is gained through regular worship . Ephesians 1:12
“in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.”
Paul Taught Us to Pray for Their Spiritual Maturity: v. 11
“being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,…”
1. Walk in the Spirit . Galatians 5:16
“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
2. Walk in love . Ephesians 5:2
“and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
3. Walk in the light . Ephesians 5:8
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light”
