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Oct 14, 2018

Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:9-14

When Paul prayed for the Colossians, this paragraph tells us what he asked God for on their behalf.  This section is very helpful to us because it tells us what to pray for others and what to seek for ourselves.

Our prayers tend to be focused on physical problems that others have.  It is certainly right to pray for the sick (cf. Jam 5:13,14), but this prayer does not mention healing from sickness.  This prayer is that God's people will be "filled with … and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Col 1:9,10).  God is the fountain of all life and therefore, if we are to live well, we must understand God deeply and commune with Him deeply. Life is to be viewed from His perspective or it is not viewed properly.

Rising from knowing God is a life of holiness … "so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work" (Col 1:10).  A sweetness rises from knowing God deeply.  Christians are "strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father" (Col 1:11,12).

 This knowledge of God is what we must learn to pray for each other and this is what we must seek for ourselves with all our might.  Indeed … "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (Jn 17:3).