Today's devotional
I can't count the number of times I've heard, "please pray for me". The personal prayer requests have been for jobs, health needs, marriage problems, and emotional concerns - to name a few. And yet, I've often wondered what the REAL prayer need is. Not that these concerns aren't important, but are they the ultimate prayer priority? In light of this prayer, I think not:
"For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask 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 steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light." (Colossians 1:9-12)
Top of the list is crystal-clear knowledge of God's will, for the purpose of living according to it. Know it in order to live it. This knowledge and lifestyle, then, sets us on a spiritual fruit-bearing path. This, in turn, produces greater knowledge of our Father. And, a more intimate knowledge of our Father, and obedient walk with Him, appropriates His Spirit more fully in our lives. This Spirit enabling provides the power for rock-solid steadiness, and enduring patience. Focused on the hope to be realized, we are characterized as joyfully thankful people.
So, what we really need to pray for one another is: clear knowledge of God's will ... faithful obedience ... fruit-bearing ... Spirit power ... endurance ... patience ... increasing intimate knowledge of our Father ... joyful thanks in light of our hope. So, in light of these things, perhaps you'll want to start a new prayer list, and pray these things for every believer you know. In so doing, you will have prayed for their highest good.
What would happen if the people of God embarked on a forty-day adventure in simply praying these things for the family of God they know? How might things change? What transformation would occur in our church fellowship, or home group? What would be the effect on us personally as we prayed these things for others? The possibilities are fascinating!
Praying for one another is a noble cause. But, prayer can be vague and ineffective, like shooting an arrow without aiming. Effective prayer aims for the bulls-eye, and that bulls-eye is this great prayer in Colossians. May we truly hit the mark as we pray for one another.
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
"For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask 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 steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light." (Colossians 1:9-12)
Top of the list is crystal-clear knowledge of God's will, for the purpose of living according to it. Know it in order to live it. This knowledge and lifestyle, then, sets us on a spiritual fruit-bearing path. This, in turn, produces greater knowledge of our Father. And, a more intimate knowledge of our Father, and obedient walk with Him, appropriates His Spirit more fully in our lives. This Spirit enabling provides the power for rock-solid steadiness, and enduring patience. Focused on the hope to be realized, we are characterized as joyfully thankful people.
So, what we really need to pray for one another is: clear knowledge of God's will ... faithful obedience ... fruit-bearing ... Spirit power ... endurance ... patience ... increasing intimate knowledge of our Father ... joyful thanks in light of our hope. So, in light of these things, perhaps you'll want to start a new prayer list, and pray these things for every believer you know. In so doing, you will have prayed for their highest good.
What would happen if the people of God embarked on a forty-day adventure in simply praying these things for the family of God they know? How might things change? What transformation would occur in our church fellowship, or home group? What would be the effect on us personally as we prayed these things for others? The possibilities are fascinating!
Praying for one another is a noble cause. But, prayer can be vague and ineffective, like shooting an arrow without aiming. Effective prayer aims for the bulls-eye, and that bulls-eye is this great prayer in Colossians. May we truly hit the mark as we pray for one another.
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
posted by steve @ 8:43 AM
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