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?
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