Praying God’s Words

Sometimes we just don’t know how to pray for someone. We know that God has a good plan for our lives, but we come up short trying to pray too specifically about what God’s will is for that person’s situation. Or even for our own circumstances.

But somehow Paul knew. I’m currently reading in Colossians, studying through Colossians 1. In verses 9-14, Paul shares how he prayed for the believers in Colossae. This passage can serve as a wonderful template we can use to show us ways to pray for those we love as well as for ourselves.

Here’s the passage in its entirety:

9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:9-14 NASB

These words tell us what God’s will is for each and every individual. For you. And for me.

1. To be filled with all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that we would please the Lord, so that we could bear fruit in everything we do, and so that we could know God better;
2. To be strong, steadfast and patient;
3. To joyously (joyously!) thank the Father because He made it possible for us to be his family, because He saved us from a life of futility and brought us near, into his kingdom with Jesus who makes all of this possible.

So as I meditate on this passage, I’m moved to pray for my kids, their spouses, my grandchildren, my husband and myself and whoever the Spirit brings to my mind…even you as we grow into a community.

So I’ll take the precious words above that Paul prayed, think about my loved ones and all of their individual needs, and pray something like this…

“Father, thank you that I can come into your presence because of the blood of Jesus. Thank you that you loved me so much that you sent your Son to die in my place so that I can be reconciled to you and be your daughter. And because I’m your daughter, I can come boldly before your throne of grace and ask you for these things.

(v. 9-10) “Father, I pray for my family and myself (thinking about all whom I’m praying for, maybe listing them by name). Please, Father, fill us with the knowledge of Your will. Reveal your heart to us.

“Give us spiritual wisdom and understanding so that we might walk in a way that’s worthy of you (in our marriages and parenting, in our vocations, in our relationships), and may we desire to please you in all of our ways. Give us grace to desire your will more than our own. Let us bear fruit in anything we put our hands, hearts or minds to. Let us grow in knowing you. Give us a hunger for your word and the faith to belief your word.

(v. 11) “Strengthen us according to your glorious power and might so that we would grow in being steadfast (not swerved from, dependable, constant) and patient and not give up.

(v. 12) “Father, I pray this knowing it’s your will to do all of this for us. What a joy it is to know that you have qualified me to share in the inheritance of all who follow you by faith. How astounding that this inheritance is imperishable and unfading and reserved in heaven for me!

(v. 13) “Thank you for rescuing me from the dominion of darkness and transferring me into the kingdom of your beloved Son, Jesus.

(v. 14) “Thank you that in Him I am redeemed, purchased by his blood. Thank you that my sins are forgiven because they’ve been paid for by your Son. I give you my family, Lord. Our lives are yours, Father. Use us to glorify you.”

Isn’t God’s provision for us amazing? We don’t have to perform for Him. If we don’t know how to pray, we just ask and He’ll direct. Even before we ask, He’s provided for us. The best dad ever!

 

Are you content with your prayer life? I’m not, but that’s a story for another time. For now, I’ll rest in trusting that God has me on a journey to be more aware of Him, more real with Him, and more believing of Him and eventually prayer will come as easily as breathing. Does prayer come easy for you? Do you enjoy prayer? Has anything helped you to grow in this area? Feel free to share in the comments…