You are Welcome here!! We are so glad you are joining us for worship.

ØPaul’s prayer for the Colossians was characterized by three important things:

1. It was motivated by their faith and love (vv. 7-9).

a. Paul had never met them, yet he prayed for them.
b. Paul, upon hearing of their conversion and growth, began praying.
c. Our connection to believers we have never met may be this strong too, if we allow ourselves to be motivated properly.
d. Are you praying for anyone whom you have never met?

2. It was immediately practiced (v. 9, “since the day we heard this…”)

a. Paul’s emotional, intellectual and physical investment was immediate.
b. This was most likely the result of Paul being intently on mission.
c. This is what a missional prayer life looks like.
d. One is not going to cultivate a missional prayer life without having a missional heart.

3. It was consistent (v. 9, “we haven’t stopped praying for you.”)

a. Their spiritual growth was a matter of pondering for Paul.
b. Their spiritual growth was a priority for Paul’s prayer.
c. Their spiritual growth fueled Paul’s purpose in prayer.

ØPaul’s prayer for the Colossians was primarily spiritual in nature and focus (vv. 9-14).

1. He asks for them to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (v. 9).

a. “filled” = not in small measure, totally saturated, completely.
b. “knowledge of His will” = This Greek word speaks of practical and personal experience, not just academic or intellectual knowledge. Our knowledge of God’s will is to be something we have come by through practice and application in our lives.
c. “in all wisdom and spiritual understanding”
- The requires prayer (James 1:5)

- This requires reading the Word (Eph. 3:3-5)

- If lacking, it is dangerous (Hosea 4:6)

- It is essential to our renewal in becoming like Christ (Col. 3:8-10)

2. He asks that they would have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him (vv. 10-14).

a. This is the objective of being filled with the knowledge of God’s will (Eph. 4:1)

b. This walk means we are:
- “being fruitful in every good work” (Titus 2:14; 3:1; Matt. 5:16)

- “increasing in the knowledge of God” (Jer. 9:23-24)

- “strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power” (2 Tim. 1:7-8; Phil. 4:13; Eph. 1:15-20; 3:20)

- “giving thanks to the Father” (I Thess. 5:18)

· Inheritance (I Pet 1:3-5)

· Deliverance (Eph. 2:1-5)

· Redemption & Forgiveness (Rev. 1:5-6)