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Key Prayers For The Believers

Posted on 19 Apr 2015, Pastor: Tolu Makinde

Text: Col 1:9-14

Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Col 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Col 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Introduction

The book of Colossians was written while Apostle Paul was in prison around 60 AD
A prisoner, who needed to be delivered from bondage, was writing to those that were not in bondage and praying for them
Physically, Paul knew they may be at liberty, but spiritually, he knew they were in bondage
That was the purpose of his letter – To set them free
As a result, he prayed some powerful prayers that I believe every true Christian ought to pray regularly
- That they might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding
- That they might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing
- That they might be fruitful in every good work
- That they might increase in the knowledge of God
- That they might be strengthened with all might according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness

Main Topic

1. That you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding

Having the knowledge of God’s will is knowing God’s plan as it pertains to what concerns you
However, having knowledge of the plan is only one part, the other part is the application of that knowledge
It is one thing to know something, it is another thing to apply what you know
For example, most criminals know that it is against the law to commit a crime, but they fail to apply that knowledge
Most sinners know that it is a sin to commit the sin, but we fail to apply that knowledge
This is where the word “wisdom” is applied.
Wisdom is the application of knowledge
Jesus knew that He must suffer for the sake of mankind, so in the garden of Gethsemane He prayed:
- Mat 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
In short, having the wisdom of God is a requirement for knowing His will
That’s why James 1:5 says: Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Spiritual understanding
- Having spiritual understanding is also a requirement to fully know His will
- A believer that lacks spiritual understanding cannot fully understand His will because God is a Spirit
- It is like showing a 2 year old how to perform brain surgery – there is no way he will comprehend it
- Rom 8:6-9, 14
- So, without spiritual understanding, we cannot fully know God’s will
Heb 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Heb 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 1Jn 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Praying according to God’s will also guarantees that your prayers will be answered.
I know it is God’s will for you to know His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding
I pray that you will be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding in Jesus name.

2. That you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing

The word “walk” actually means to “live and conduct yourself”
So the prayer is “that you might live and conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him and desiring to please Him”
Gen 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect
In other words, live and conduct yourself perfectly
To walk worthy of the Lord or to be perfect just like God told Abraham, is to be holy.
That’s why God told the children of Israel in Lev 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.
Just in case we think it was only for the people of OT, that same truth was repeated in the New Testament in 1Pe 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Walking worthy of the Lord means to live and conduct ourselves in a manner acceptable to God and the minimum requirement is holiness.
God would never require of us that which it is impossible for us to attain
It is indeed possible to live holy, but don’t let the word “holy” scare you
Holy simply means obedience – if you are in obedience to the word of God, you are holy
God knew we will need help, so He made the Holy Spirit available to everyone of us to help us live in obedience to Him
So, the prayer that Paul was praying here is that you will be holy
Who benefits from your holiness? – think about it.
4 Reasons for lack of holiness:
- The spirit is not reborn – you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior
- Lack of faith and lack of trust in the Lord – you trust yourself more than you trust God
- Pride – I’m always right
- Stubbornness – hardheadedness – you know it is wrong, you will do it anyway
I pray that you will walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing

3. That they might be fruitful in every good work

4. That they might increase in the knowledge of God

5. That they might be strengthened with all might according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness