Let’s Pray for Each Other. Like This.

One of the things that struck me in our recent study of Ephesians 6 was a particular thing Paul said about prayer in 6:18. Part of our armor, he says, is to be constantly praying for each other–“for all the saints.” With that in mind, in a recent reading of Colossians, I noticed how much instruction Paul gives us in what we should desire, and pray, for each other. By showing us what he desired for the Colossian church, Paul shows us (in 2012, in Philadelphia) what the Holy Spirit desires for us. And this instructs us in how to pray for ourselves, for each other, and for the Church at large.

So what did Paul want for the Colossians?

1. That they’d be filled with the knowledge of Gods will. (1:9)
2. That they’d have spiritual wisdom and understanding (1:9)
3. …so that they could please the Lord with their life. (1:10)
4. That they’d have lots of fruit-nearing good works. (1:10)
5. That they’d be growing in their knowledge of God (1:10)
6. That they’d be strong from God’s power (1:11)
7. …so that they could endure trouble with joy (1:11)
8. …and give thanks to God. (1:12)
9. That they’d continue in the faith, strong and unmoveable. (1:23)
10. That they’d reach maturity in Christ. (1:28)
11. That they’d be encouraged. (2:2)
12. That they’d be “knit together in love.” (2:2)
13. That they’d reach full assurance of understanding (2:3)
14. …so that no one could deceive them with false doctrine. (2:4)

If you’re excited about what God is doing with us on Monday nights and as a group, let’s pray these things for each other. Let’s pray them for our church and for our friends. Let’s respond to what God is doing by asking Him to do even more.