A Fresh Prayer
At times I feel stumped about how to pray. Prayers are words. I’ve got plenty. More and more though, I want what I say to God to be authentic and clear, not just a repetition of my “grocery list” for God to deal with. Friends, neighbors and relatives have critical health issues, the nation’s leadership needs spiritual direction, and there’s a lost and dying world to intercede for. Too, I’m frequently at a loss for how to pray for my own children who have had a chance to hear the gospel and are old enough to handle the walk with Christ with maturity. This month, I’ve rediscovered what Paul prayed for his Colossian children. I though it fit exactly what I needed to tell God about mine.
Paul said he was so proud of his new family members and had begun to intercede for them:
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.
We continually ask God
to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,
so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way:
bearing fruit in every good work,
growing in the knowledge of God,
being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might
so that you may have great endurance and patience,
and giving joyful thanks to the Father,
who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1: 9-14 NIV).
This passage seems so much better than the ones I’ve prayed. It’s focused on eternal, not here and now.
Lord, give me holy perspective in a very human world. I need you. We all need you. Amen.
Luwana – Paul’s prayer are a rich source for our own prayers. Thanks for sharing.
Paul’s letters to the churches have always encouraged me, especially when it comes to prayers. Thank you for the reminder to seek His wisdom through His Word.
Good post Luwana. Often, I struggle with the words to pray. So thankful for these prayers found in scripture and for His Holy Spirit to guide and comfort me!