Sermon Central
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God Answers Prayer Series
Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 20, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: Often we are impatient in prayer and want God to respond even before we say Amen. In contrast, Paul wasn't burdened by a quest for immediate answers and never gave up speaking to the Lord about the Colossians.
God answers prayer
So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honour and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light. (Colossians 1:9-12 NLT)
We don't always know exactly how to pray for others, or even for ourselves. In Colossians, we read Paul's prayer for the believers in that church. What is interesting is the absence of many of the requests we might normally make while talking with the Lord - for health, financial needs, or deliverance from difficult situations. Paul's prayer is focused on the believers' spiritual needs, and it's a pattern we can all follow as we pray for others and ourselves.
Often we are impatient in prayer and want God to respond even before we say Amen. In contrast, Paul wasn't burdened by a quest for immediate answers and never gave up speaking to the Lord about the Colossians. He was confident that God would hear, and he also knew that spiritual growth is a lifelong process, not a quick fix.
Paul didn't settle for a simple appeal of "Lord, bless the Colossian church." He really cared about the people there, and he focused on what God desired for them - that they would know the Father's will, walk worthy of Him, and be strengthened with His power.
The Lord desires to answer petitions that line up with His will. Of course, we should also talk to our Father about our physical or emotional concerns, but we must not overlook our need for consistent spiritual growth. Through Paul, God has given us an example of an honest prayer that He longs to answer.
When you don't know how to pray for others, let this prayer of Paul guide your requests. Then be patient, knowing God answers prayers in the best way and with the best timing.
