Colossians 1:9-11 – For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;

I have always loved this verse because it shows the heart of the Apostle Paul in such a beautiful way. His love for the believers in Colosse is pictured so perfectly in his words. To be praying for them constantly. To be asking God to fill them with the knowledge of His will for them. That they would walk worthy of the Lord and fully please Him. Is there any better prayer that you can be praying for someone? Paul prays for believers who are doing well. He asks that they continue in the process of growth. The focus of much prayer is on those who are struggling and not doing well. While those are good prayers, Paul reminds us of the need to pray for those who are doing well since they are prime targets for the enemies attacks. Many of our prayers ask for immediate relief from circumstantial or personal difficulties. While some of these prayers are good, Paul wants us to include prayers for spiritual growth and long-term development. Paul wants the Colossians to know God’s will and then let that knowledge control them. God wants us to know His will that is so clearly revealed in His Word. A mere knowledge of God’s Word is not what will please Him. We need to be controlled by that knowledge.

Challenge:

Obviously you want to fully please God with your life. You please God when you are bearing fruit in every good work. Good works are not a means to achieve your salvation, but a natural result of your salvation. Good works in your life please God because good works are God’s plan for all believer. I challenge you this week to pray that God would fill you with the knowledge of His perfect will and then, to give you the strength to fulfill your specific role. I ask you, has God created you to teach His word? Then you need to be actively sharing His word with others. Has He created you to train younger believers in His ways? Seek out a young believer and disciple them. Has He created you to evangelize the lost? Then be sure to strike up conversation with strangers to see if they need to invite the Lord into their lives. Listen, God knows the ways you will please Him and He wants to show you as well as equip you to do that very thing.