Introduction

Good morning, beloved, and welcome to this gathering. It is a joy to be in the house of the Lord, and it is my prayer that our hearts will be enriched and our spirits uplifted as we break the bread of life together today.

Our focus today is from Colossians 1:9-14. This passage reveals the depth of Paul's prayer for the Colossian church, and it is a prayer that still holds significance for us today.

Let's read the passage together:

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and 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 giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Pondering Paul's Prayer

In the heart of the Apostle Paul, we find a deep and abiding concern for the spiritual well-being of the Colossian church. This concern is not just a fleeting thought or a casual mention in his letter; it is a fervent, ceaseless prayer that he lifts up to God on their behalf. He prays that they may be filled with the knowledge of God's will, that they may live a life worthy of the Lord, that they may bear fruit in every good work, and that they may grow in the knowledge of God.

The first aspect of this prayer that we should consider is the request for the Colossians to be filled with the knowledge of God's will. This is not just a request for information or facts about God. It is a prayer for a deep understanding of who God is and what He desires for His people. It is a prayer for the kind of knowledge that transforms the mind and shapes the heart, the kind of knowledge that leads to a life that is pleasing to God.

This leads us to the second aspect of Paul's prayer: the call to live a life worthy of the Lord. This is not a call to perfection or to a life free from mistakes. It is a call to a life that reflects the character and values of God, a life that is marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It is a call to a life that, in spite of its flaws and failures, strives to honor God in all things.

The third aspect of Paul's prayer is the call to bear fruit in every good work. This is not a call to mere activity but a call to meaningful, purposeful action that contributes to the growth of God's kingdom. It is a call to use our gifts, talents, and resources to serve others, to meet needs, and to make a difference in the world. It is a call to a life that is not self-centered but others-centered, a life that seeks to bless others as we have been blessed by God.

The final aspect of Paul's prayer is the call to grow in the knowledge of God. This is not a call to intellectual growth alone. It is a call to relational growth, to a deepening relationship with God that is marked by trust, dependence, and love. It is a call to know God not just as a distant, impersonal deity, but as a loving, caring Father who knows us intimately and loves us deeply.

Power Manifested in Paul's Prayer

As we continue to examine this passage, we find that Paul's prayer is not just a simple request ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO