For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.
Summary: When we think about why Paul is praying, it helps us realize how our prayers for others are important, too.
When Paul met the living Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, his world changed dramatically. Prior to that point in his life, he was driven by the same intensity and passion we see in his letters, except that his “god” was the Law of Moses.
Given the political climate of his day, the same political climate that drove the Pharisees and Chief Priests to plot Jesus’ death on the cross, Paul believed that any Jew who questioned the law was an enemy of the law.
After encountering the Lord, Paul realized that the people he believed to be enemies were actually serving God better than he was. Imagine the shock to his system. He had been the one who was the enemy of the very God he had thought he had been serving.
Having seen the Light, Paul changed. One of the biggest changes we see in Paul is his understanding of love (agapé). As a Pharisee, Paul’s understanding of love was defined by adherence to religious rules and rituals. When the Pharisees prioritized the law, compassion for others suffered. When every action is conditioned on observing the Mosaic laws, love tends to take a back seat.
After his encounter with Jesus, Paul’s understanding of what it means to love flipped his world upside down. Instead of subordinating people’s needs to the law, Paul realized that God calls us to put the needs of others first. God also impressed on Paul that our biggest need is to know Jesus.
When Paul hears the report from Epaphras about the “love in the Spirit” (v 8) shown by the Colossians, he is deeply moved. He is convinced they “truly understand God’s grace” (v 6). It is for this reason that Paul is moved to prayer.
What do you do when you want or need something beyond your reach? Jesus tells us “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matthew 21:22) and “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Luke 11:10).
He is not able to be with the people of Colossae. His heart is drawn to them because they love the Lord as he does. They understand God’s grace as he understands it. He knows this because of the love they have for “all God’s people” (v 4).
If Paul himself cannot go to these people he can at least intercede for them with God. And he does. Continually.
Application: Follow Paul’s example and pray for those who need Jesus.
Food for Thought: What can we do to maximize the effectiveness of our prayers?
Something that has helped me is to use Scripture as a guide. That is, as I read Scripture I don’t just read along but pray along. Similarly, I like to use the Lord’s Prayer as a guide. Not simply rehearsing the prayer, but to expand the prayer by meditating on each line. That has helped my personal prayer life and I share it in case it might help someone else.
Thank you, Rich!
Sharing details about your prayer life helps me in many ways. Your words provide a model for prayer and encourage me to pray more. Thank you!
Great comment R. I agree using scripture as a guide and modeling prayer after the Lord’s prayer. The Lord’s prayer is literally how Jesus taught us to pray, and as you said, not reciting the words, but applying each of the items of prayer as it pertains to our lives and understanding. I appreciate you sharing.
What can we do to maximize the effectiveness of our prayers?
Pray often, and pray in thanksgiving and joy.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Pray earnestly.
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Pray in the confidence of our faith.
1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
Something too I would like to share. There was a time that when I would pray I found myself distracted. Meaning I would bring someone or something up in prayer, or make a petition on behalf on someone or something, and my mind would race and bounce around. I felt bad about that, condemning myself. I shared that with someone once and they told me that “the Holy Spirit does not condemn us, He may convict, but He does not condemn. So looking at it from that perspective, perhaps the Holy Spirit is trying to draw your attention to something in your life that is preventing you from approaching God in humility and gratitude.” I think that was good spiritual advice. So instead of fighting against it, when I found my mind in distraction, I asked the Holy Spirit what He wanted me to know. My thoughts would soon center on what it was in a very clear manner. Usually, it was an agreement that I had made in my heart about someone else that fundamentally did not speak to love.
Matthew 5:23-24 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Thank you, Chris.
I struggle with distractions while praying, too. I like what you have shared about listening to the Holy Spirit! That is very helpful!
What can we do to maximize the effectiveness of our prayers?
Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth. Psalm 46:10
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16
the “eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer” 1 Peter 3:12, Psalm 34:15
“the prayer of the upright pleases Him” Proverbs 15:8
We are called by God, to make our requests known to Him, our creator who knows everything. Our God whose will has and is being done, past, present, and future. Why would He speak to us about coming to Him in Prayer?
Maybe God would like to spend some quiet one on one time with each of us. Maybe He would like to have a relationship with us, just as He had as he walked in the Garden with Adam and Eve. Maybe we need to spend quiet time, listening to our God as He speaks to our hearts.
God is in my heart, with me every moment of every day. He knows my every thought, I call to Him, praise Him, thank Him throughout my day, and have times when I ask Him, why oh why!
We should seek to live our lives in the garden, live in His presence rather than trying to avoid Him. And I believe we will one day be like those who seem to have a permanent smile on their face and peace in their hearts.
Matthew 6:33, But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
Thank you, Ron!
There are two things about your comment today that jump out at me. The first is the quote from James 5:16 —
“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
How we conduct ourselves in life impacts our prayer life as well.
Which brings us to the second point you made: Spend time in God’s garden! I love the imagery and the point.
Thank you!
All really great comments.
What can we do to maximize the effectiveness of our prayers?
Know Jesus, be in a relationship with Him, conforming daily to die to your sinful self and become more like the Son. Praying for His will to be done. A righteous prayer Surprising your own desires to a prayer that is aligned with His will. And if that doesn’t work try praying like the persistent widow. ( it worked for me I have a years prayer journal full that helped me with Angela my wife. I prayed so much she didn’t even have a chance.)
Thanks Tim. Lots of good thoughts brother.
Tim,
Thank you for sharing! A prayer journal is very helpful for building our faith muscles!