The Girl Next Door ☎︎: A Study on Paul's Prayer

My Study

A Study on Paul's Prayer

With the help of D.A. Carson's and Logos Bible Software, I have learned so much by digging deeper into Paul's prayer found in Colossians 1:9-14. This study has only scratched the surface of this rich prayer, but I hope you are encouraged and challenged by this passage as much as I have been.

{ And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:9-14 }

The book of Colossians was written by Paul and Timothy (Colossians 1:1) to a community of believers who worshiped the Lord together in houses (Col. 4:15). These Christians lived in a small town in the Lycus Valley. Paul had not yet visited these house churches as implied in Colossians 2:1. This community did; however, have a connection with some followers of Paul. Paul addresses a few of these Believers in his final greetings (Col. 4:7-17).

At the time Paul wrote this letter, He had a ministry in Ephesus, 100 miles west of Colosse, which began around 53-56 AD. Paul was linked to the church in Colossae mainly due through Epaphras. The news of Paul’s ministry spread throughout the entire province of Asia (Acts 19:10). Epaphras most likely heard Paul preach the gospel in Ephesus, converted to Christianity, and then brought the Gospel back to his home in Colossae (Col. 1:7-8). Epaphras is commonly attributed to the founding of the church in Colossae. Although Paul does not identify his specific location, he does relay that he is writing this letter under house arrest in prison (Col. 4:3). Based on Acts 28:30, Paul was most likely imprisoned in Rome. Around 60-62 AD, Epaphras visited Paul in prison and relayed the troublesome news of the Church in Colossae. The church was under attack and, so, Paul reacted.

Paul wrote this letter to the believers at Colossae in response to the false teachings and philosophy attacking the church (Col. 2:8). The false teachings were a mixture of both Judaism and Paganism (Col. 2:16,18). This false philosophy sought to add unnecessary traditions and practices to the one, true gospel that Paul preached. In his letter, Paul denies the idea that there are certain religious practices and rules that need to be upheld in order to earn salvation. Paul not only makes it clear that the corruptive teachings are a lie, but reminds the believers that salvation is through God’s grace and faith in Christ alone. Paul urges the Colossians to resist these ideas so they would not be held captive by legalism.

Paul wrote to the church at Colossae less than ten years after they had received the gospel from Epaphras. The church was young, only about five or six years old and in the growing stage of discipleship. This would explain why the young disciples were easily swayed into believing the lie that Jesus Christ is not enough for salvation. The church was not mature enough to ignore the heresy. Paul re-explains the true gospel to the church but praising God for sending Christ to die for their sins so that the church does not have to work for their relationship with Him. Paul reminds the people that Christ is enough to truly know the Father. In the beginning of the letter, Paul commends the Body of Christ and expresses his genuine love for them. He then continues to explain that bearing fruit comes in response to the Word of God, inwardly transforming the man’s heart. Knowledge and works go hand in hand. Good deeds can not be done apart from Christ.

The Big Idea of Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-14 is that Christians can lead a life worthy of the Lord by filling their hearts and minds with God’s will, doing good deeds, getting to know God more and more, joyfully enduring circumstances through the Spirit’s power, and giving thanks to God. Readers can learn a lot through this prayer. It is important that Believers model their own prayers after Paul’s so that both the heart behind the prayer and the content within the prayer may be pleasing to Him. In his book A Call To Spiritual Reformation – Priorities From Paul And His Prayers, DA Carson points out some ways Christians can carry out this command.

In Colossians 1:9, Paul encourages Christians to pray for those they have never met. As previously mentioned, “Paul is writing to a church he has never visited” (Carson 97). Even so, Paul prays earnestly for them revealing his genuine love for those his convert, Epaphras, has shared the gospel with. These are his “spiritual grandchildren” (Carson 98). Verse nine says that Paul has never stopped praying for them. Everytime he hears updates about the church, he lifts them up to the Lord. Paul had set times during the day when he would pray, but he also “maintained a spirit of prayer” (Carson 98) throughout his entire day. Paul prays daily and definitely. By stating that he prays unceasingly for the Colossians, Paul suggest that Christians are to pray for specific needs on a daily basis, over and over. In verse nine, Paul prays that the Colossians know the will of the Lord. The knowledge of God’s will is available for everyone. Every man’s thoughts, motives, and actions should be drenched in this knowledge. Carson points out that the will of God is not always in regards to the future. His will can be read in the Bible. Carson points out, “To do the will of God in this passage is virtually synonymous with obeying what God has mandated” (Carson 102). A reference to God’s will is not always about figuring it out, but doing it as such is the case in Psalm 143:10. The psalmist asks God to teach him to actually do His will. Whatever God commands is His will; therefore, we must respond to His will by obeying it. As verse nine states, God’s will contains all wisdom and understanding at the “spiritual level” (Carson 103). Paul is most likely praying this because the church is being lured into false teachings. They need the correct spiritual knowledge that is found in God. The Colossians must “bring their minds and hearts and conduct into conformity with God’s will” as Carson says.

Verse ten reveals the reason Paul is praying the request stated in verse nine. He desires that the Colossians glorify God through their life. The result of having the knowledge of God’s will, found in His Word, is living in a way that is acceptable to Him. Knowledge is not the end. Knowledge must be accompanied by action. Paul explains that walking in a manner worthy of the Lord means to fully please Him. This connects with verse nine in that “we cannot begin to be utterly pleasing Jesus unless God fills us with the knowledge of His will” (Carson 106). God’s knowledge leads to good deeds done all for Him. In the rest of verse ten through verse fourteen, Paul spells out what living a life that fully pleases the Lord looks like practically. First, Believers are to bear fruit in every good work. Although the Colossians do not need to earn their salvation, Paul explains that a life worthy of the Lord will be filled with good deeds done in response to God’s grace. Secondly, knowing God’s will is not the end. Paul encourages the Colossians to grow in the Lord’s will and increasing in its knowledge. A Christian cannot bear fruit without growing. The more believers know, the more they can obey and the more they can know God. It is a beautiful circle.

Paul continues praying for the specific ways the Colossians can please the Lord in verse eleven. Revealing the third way, Paul prays that the church will be strengthened so they be patient when “under a burden” so they can “carr[y] it with enduring fortitude” (Carson 109). Christians are in a spiritual battle that requires the power of God. The Colossians need His strength to fight against the false teachings. This strength is not given based on the Believer’s need but on the Lord’s never ending supply of power. Carson notes that endurance and patience are also qualities that “require the power of the Holy Spirit” (Carson 109). Christians need to be able to remain under difficult circumstances without giving up on good deeds and growth. Patient and enduring Children of God do not retaliate, seek revenge, or become angry in response to burdens. But joyfully, not grudgingly, trust in the Lord for deliverance. Only through Christ can the Colossians have the stamina and strength to joyfully face trials.

In verse twelve through fourteen, Paul relays the fourth way Christians can live to please God. Paul says that the Colossians must thank the Father with joy. Paul list several things Christians should be grateful for. Carson says that “if we have been transferred out of the dominion of darkness and into the kingdom of the Son beloved by God, our only appropriate response is joyful gratitude” (Carson 109). Paul reminds the young believers of what God has done for them so that they may respond with thanksgiving. God has shared with Christians His inheritance. This is not something the Colossians nor any other Believers must purchase, but an unearned heavenly gift. God has rescued His people from captivity under Satan. He forgave their sins and conquered death. Not only did God save Believers from a life of sin and misery, but transplanted them into the light of His Kingdom, full of riches, where they will remain forever. The Colossians needed to be reminded that they are free to live in the light through the grace of Christ. They are no longer bound by rules or works. They are redeemed through the blood of Christ. It is finished. No more shame. They can never lose the love of Christ. God will always keep His promise. Paul wants the Colossians to “overflow with joyful thanksgiving in the light of the salvation [they] have received at His hand” (Carson 109). Christ alone is the One who fills His children with happiness. He is the head of the church which causes its members to rejoice!

So, there's the facts. Now what? Here a few points of application:

❤︎ Prayers should go behind your circle of friends and family.

❤︎ Select a specific area of a country to learn about and pray for.

❤︎ Seek the will of God that is revealed in God’s Word before concerning yourself with
God’s specific plan for your future.

❤︎ Read God’s Word daily in order to become more familiar with God's will.

❤︎ Be filled with the wisdom and understanding of God’s will and not the deceptive lives of the culture.

❤︎ Knowledge of God’s will as revealed in His Word should not remain in the mind, but
be lived out. God’s will is meant to be obeyed.

❤︎ Decide what fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5) you need to produce more. Remember
the power of the Holy Spirit is needed to bear fruit.

❤︎ Fruit cannot be produced without growth. Decide what areas in your relationship with
God needs growth and reflect on what you have learned about God in the past month. Are you growing in knowledge of Him?

❤︎ You need God’s strength and endurance to stay fruitful during times of intense
hardship. Many Believers stop growing altogether during trials which does not please
the Lord. Trials are a great opportunity to lean on Christ and grow even closer to Him.

❤︎ Even Believers need to be taught the Gospel everyday so that they can respond with
praise to their Savior. Remember all that God has done for you so that encouragement
and humility can result in praise to God.