Praying For A Change

Praying For A Change; Colossians 1:9-12

Paul had a deep love for the Colossians as well as all the churches he had begun. You could say he loved them as a father loves his own children. As a matter of fact Paul often call himself a father to those he led to the Lord. As a spiritual father he prayed for his spiritual children.

It’s equally important that parents pray for their children and that we pray for out brothers and sisters in Christ. But how do we pray for them? What do we ask for? Paul gives us a good example of how to pray for those we love.

It’s easy to tell someone you’ll be praying for someone, but Paul was specific, telling them how he prayed and what he asked for.

I. That They Would Know God’s Will – Vs.9 “Filled with the knowledge of His will”

He could have prayed that they would not be persecuted, that they would have good health, or that they would prosper, or that they would gain political power, but he prayed that they would know God’s will.

What good is it to live in perfect health without Christ? What good is it to have possessions and loose our own soul? What good is it to have political power if we do not know the will of God?

The knowledge of God’s will is more important than any of these because, with the knowledge of God’s will you are filled with the knowledge of world conditions, the knowledge of how to succeed in life, the knowledge of true power, which only comes from God.

What is there in this world that is more important for our children than to know the will of God? What could we give them that will stand for time and eternity?

We all have hopes and dreams for our kids, we may want them to follow in our footsteps, I would like to see each of my kids become successful and financially independent, but more than anything else, whatever they do I just want it to be according to God’s will.

II. That They Would Know How To Walk

Boot camp… you may look like civilians now, but by the time you leave here you will walk, talk, eat, sleep, shoot and shine like American soldiers. The way we acted was a reflection on the U.S. Army.

A. In the same way the way Christians act is a reflection on God – Vs.10. As we grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ we gain spiritual understanding & spiritual understanding teaches us how to walk. We gain spiritual understanding through:

1. Prayer

2. Bible study

3. worship

4. faithfully assembling with other believers.

B. But how do we walk worthy of the Lord?

We walk in the Spirit – Galatians 5:16, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

We walk in love – Ephesians 5:2, “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”

We walk as children of light – Ephesians 5:8, “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:”… “fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”

C. When we walk worthy of the Lord others notice and we become fruitful in His work.

D. I want my children to glorify God in their lives. It doesn’t matter to me what my children do in their lives so long as they glorify God. And they will if they walk worthy of the Lord. That ought to be a parents prayer every single day.

III. That They Would Know God Well – Vs.10 “Increasing in the knowledge of God”

A. I am glad my children are learning about God in Sunday School, Wednesday evening, and at home, but what is truly important is not that they know about God but that they know God. I’m so thankful that Cassie and Carissa have accepted Christ… Bath… I hope Christopher will as well once he gains is able to understand.

B. I want them to all have a home in heaven, I want to spend eternity with them as you all do with your own. So we ought to be praying that they know God… and as they grow physically that they will also grow spiritually closer to God every day.