Prayer (2)

Prayer

Colossians 1:9–12 NASB 2020

For this reason we also, since the day we heard about it, have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all perseverance and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Colossians 1:9–10 NASB 2020

For this reason we also, since the day we heard about it, have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

The for this reason, means, since we have heard of your faith in Christ and love for all the holy ones

Something I pray for is wisdom and understanding

It is not something just given

It is achieved through asking and observation

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And once you have that wisdom and understanding

You need to take action

Notice the hand in hand of good works with the knowledge of God

Now, is this salvation by works?

By no means!

It is about a covenant relationship

You agree to do this

You agree to live under these terms

Colossians 1:11–12 NASB 2020

strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all perseverance and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

The third thing prayed for is strength

Again, this is a formula for my prayers

Give us wisdom and the courage (strength) to do what is wise

The idea here is perseverance and patience

perseverance: steadfastness, staying in the faith

patience: forbearance (bearing up under)

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Giving thanks to the Father

Why?

He made a way for us to share in the inheritance

Of the holy ones of light

The language would resonate with the Jewish hearers

The idea of inheritance is a common one in scripture

It is usually reserved for discussions about the land promise of Israel

But here, it said to apply to the ‘share’ or ‘portion’ of those who are of the light

Prayer