It’s very important to understand that this prayer concerning the Colossians wasn’t just a one-time event, or something Paul said when times got hard for them. He prayed it continually, in good times or bad. “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.” (9) Paul prayed regularly, daily, sometimes hourly, for them. He also prayed for the Christians in Rome (Romans 1:9-10), Ephesus (Ephesians 1:15-16), Philippi (Philippians 1:3-4) and all the churches he heard of. Consistent, faithful, persevering, regular prayer for those God puts on your heart is a must. Pray for yourself, your loved ones, me and the pastors and Christians in India daily, several times a day. A prayer here or there is OK, but it is when we “never stop praying” that God changes lives.
Having stated that he thanks God for them because of their faith, love and faith, Paul now gets to the heart of his prayer for them, how He prayed for their lives to be changed. ”Asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will.” (9) We can’t do God’s will unless we know it! It’s not something we take a guess at, or just do what we want and ask Him to bless what we do. We can and must know God’s will so we can do it. Pray He will “fill you” with the knowledge of His will – give you total, specific, precise awareness of His plan and purpose for your life. We don’t pray to tell God our will but to know His will for us. “THY will be done, THY Kingdom come…” Prayer is not giving God instructions, but it is us reporting for duty.
Pray you would know and follow what God has for you to become the person He created you to be. His will for us starts with who we are, not what we do! Then He also reveals to us how we can best serve Him. Pray I would know clearly what He wants me to speak about each time I speak (an average of 4 or 5 times a day). Pray the words I use would be His words. Pray I would know His will as to how to pray for each person who comes to me after a session, asking me to lay hands on them and pray for them. Pray the pastors there would know God’s will for their lives, their family and their church. Pray Pastor Moses would know His will as he makes last-minute plans and decisions of where we will go and to whom we will speak during my time in India.
How are we to know God’s will? Paul says it is “Through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” (9) Spiritual wisdom comes through knowing the Bible and spiritual understanding is provided by the Holy Spirit within. Be sensitive to God using His Word and His Spirit in leading you in all you think, say and do. Pray that for us in India as well. Spend time reading your Bible while being sensitive to what God will teach you through His Spirit.
The key to seeing lives changed is continual, persevering prayer that God would reveal His will to the person through His Word and by His Spirit. This prayer is for those who are following Him and seeking to live for Him (“faith, love and hope” characterize them). For those who aren’t following Him allow God to use difficulties in life to bring them back to Him. Don’t pray for those things to be removed, but for them to be used to open their eyes to their need of Him. But for those living for Him pray they would fully know His will for them!