“Have You Prayed For Others?”

Tuesday, July 06, 2021

BIBLE READING: Colossians 1

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you…” (Colossians 1.3)

Praying for one another is a powerful and necessary activity we should do for one another in Christ. Paul would describe it as a struggle he has in his efforts to bring other believers to maturity through his ministry (Colossians 2.1)

In Christ, I grow when we grow. God is glorified as we become closer knit together as a single body, working in harmony and love (Ephesians 3.10, 4.11-16; Colossians 2.2). We need to constantly pray for one another towards this end (Colossians 1.9).

How can you pray for others in the body of Christ? We sometimes relegate these prayers to physical needs (health, reprieve from physical challenges) as they are evident; but we must remember that we are bound together as spiritual people. While needed, Paul reminds us of specific things we need to pray for one another:

1. “That you may be filled with the knowledge of his will” (1.9). We sometimes grope for direction and meaning in life. For the body to grow and my faith to be strengthened, we all must grow in our knowledge of God’s will. It changes us in hope (1.5-6) and continues to alter us, ultimately directing us to please God (1.10). When I pray this for others, it benefits them and opens my heart to ways I can serve them (2.1-2).
2. “[that you are] strengthened with all power… for all endurance and patience with joy” (1.11). The struggle between the Spirit and flesh bombards the life of every believer (Galatians 5.16-26). Conforming to Christ causes struggle, leading many to doubt, despair and even to leave their faith. But “we are not those who shrink back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and preserve [our] souls” (Hebrews 10.39). “We can do all things through the strength of Christ” (Philippians 4.13). Those in the body need prayers to “patiently endure tribulation (Romans 12.2) as we “to press on towards the goal” (Philippians 3.12). “You have need of endurance so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised” (Hebrews 10.36).

When we pray for others, we become more aware of God’s will. We learn more about his desire for all people to be saved and come to repentance (2 Peter 3.9). We recognize the need for his people to grow into maturity in Christ (Ephesians 4.15; Colossians 1.28). We begin to see the brokenness of the world through his eyes and develop desires that are aligned with our God and Father; who loved me, even when I was an enemy of his, and gave himself for me (Romans 5.8; Galatians 2.20; 1 John 3.1).

Have you prayed for others today?

“…from the day we heard [of your love in the Spirit], we have not ceased to pray for you…” (Colossians 1.9)

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