Paul's Prayers Series

Paul's Prayers (Colossians 1:9-23)

Colossians 1:9-23 (ESV)

In our last lesson we talked about the first section of Paul's introduction of his letter to the Colossians. We saw that the introduction can be broken down into three sections that introduce the themes that Paul develops throughout the letter. He tells the Colossians (1) how he is thanking God for them, (2) how he is praying for them, and (3) what he is doing for them.

We talked about Paul's thanksgiving and how it runs as a theme throughout Colossians. This evening we will look at how Paul is praying for them. He prays that this young church will grow in knowledge (v. 9), in holiness (v.10) and in spiritual power (v, 11). After this he prays that they will be continually filled with gratitude to God (v.12). He wants them to focus on Christ. Christ is the Creator and He is the Re-Creator of the world and humanity. In JESUS there is a new beginning!

1. The Knowledge of God (1:9-12a)

Colossians 1:9-12a (ESV)

"9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father...

These verses connect to Paul's opening thanksgiving. What God has already done gives Paul confidence in what God will do. Far too often we stop short of what God wants to do because we stop praying. Paul teaches us to continue in prayer. Our prayer should be tireless. Paul does everything with prayer at the center. His work as an apostle is not his own idea. There is an ebb and flow between prayer and the work of God. We do our part and God does His in an endless dance. Paul understood this. Prayer is a leaning upon God's Grace as well as an appropriation of that Grace.

Paul prays that God will fill the Colossians with the knowledge of His will. This knowledge forms the basis of both holiness and thanksgiving. It is also the central characteristic of the new humanity that God is creating in Christ. To know God's will is not only to know what God wants us to do but knowledge of God Himself in relationship.

Colossians 1:9

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,"

This knowledge is in "all spiritual wisdom and understanding." The knowledge of God's Will that Paul is praying for them to be filled with is "spiritual." It is not merely intellectual. God is not an object to be studied, He Is a subject to be in relationship with. God's will can only be known relationally. Often when we wrestle with knowing the will of God, it is because we are attempting to hold God at arms length. Paul's prayer is that they would know God intimately. It is them that they will have true wisdom and understanding.

Knowledge, wisdom and understanding are connected throughout the OT. We think about the book of Proverbs and its practical everyday wisdom. The things that it contains are spiritual principles that if you live by you will do well! If you lack wisdom, James says that all you have to do is ask and God will give it (James 1:5-8).

Colossians 1:10

"...so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;"

True knowledge of God will change the way we live. It brings fruitfulness in "every good work." The end result is increase. In Jesus's parable of the four soils, He says that those who receive His Words with an honest and good heart bring forth fruit according to their ability (Mark 4:1-20). The fruit is good works and the outgrowth is a continual increase in the knowledge of God. When we yield ourselves to the wisdom and understanding that comes from obeying the knowledge of God we he have we move to more knowledge. You do not know everything there is to know about God. He is Infinite in His Glory and in His Will. The way to know more is to continue to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him. When we are walking in this way, there is no time for spiritual pride that says look at me, or a judgmental spirit that criticizes others. Our only pursuit is love, loving God and loving others. Love is the essence of what it means to bear fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).