Praying for Life (Colossians 1:9-14)

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What have you done for me lately? Yes, it is the title of a 1986 hit by Janet Jackson, but the saying goes back much further, at least to the 1950s. It reflects what some people refer to as hedonic adaptation. It means we get so used to the way things were yesterday we expect more today. It echoes the sentiment in John 6, where Jesus notes that followers are seeking him not for the spiritual significance of miracles, but because he provided food, asking implicitly what he can do for them immediately: “you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate your fill of the loaves.” (v. 26)

Sometimes our prayer life may reflect a bit of that attitude. Sometimes we begin to treat God as a Cosmic Vending Machine. If we just put in enough prayer coins we should get what we want. After all, didn’t Jesus say, “If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it?” (John 14:14) Of course, right after that he says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (v. 15)

So, how should we pray?

When we grow in Christ we begin to long for guidance, clarity, and a deeper understanding of  faith. Life often presents us with questions and challenges that can leave us feeling lost or overwhelmed. In these moments, it is good to remember the words of Paul in Colossians 1:9-14, where he prays for the believers to be filled “with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” This prayer serves as a beautiful reminder that we are invited to seek a deeper relationship with God, one that transforms our lives and guides our actions.

Paul’s prayer is an act of love. And notice what he prays for. He does not ask that their circumstances be fixed or that their enemies be defeated. He asks that they be filled, that they grow in wisdom, bear fruit, increase in the knowledge of God, and be strengthened with God’s power for endurance and patience. It is a prayer to grow in our communion with God and each other.

Paul goes on to describe a life that is “bearing fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God” (v. 10). This is sanctifying grace at work. It is not rushed or forced. It is a steady transformation, where our choices begin to align more closely with God’s love. We cooperate with grace, and over time, fruit begins to appear in our lives in ways we may not have imagined.

This doesn’t mean that we should not pray for our friends and family for healing or fulfillment or blessings in life. It means that our prayer life should begin with a sincere desire to be guided as people who follow Jesus in loving God and neighbor, We pray that we, and those we pray for, “may walk worthy of the Lord” (v. 10). As we engage with scripture, prayer, and community, we open ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live out our faith authentically.

A Spiritual Practice for Today
Pray Paul’s prayer for someone in your life. Ask that they would be filled with wisdom, strengthened with God’s power, and rooted in gratitude. Then pause and pray the same for yourself.

Questions for Reflection and Action

·               What areas of your life do you feel called to seek greater understanding or wisdom?

·              How can you create space for God’s grace to work in your daily routine?

·               In what ways can you bear fruit in your community through acts of service or kindness?

·               How does understanding God’s will impact your decisions and relationships?

·               What role does prayer play in your journey toward spiritual growth?

Journaling Prompt
Write a prayer for your own life using Paul’s words as a guide. What do you sense God desires to grow in you right now?

Blessing
May you be filled with the knowledge of God’s love and guided by his wisdom.
May you walk in strength and bear fruit that brings life to others.

Prayer
Gracious God, fill me with your wisdom and shape my life by your grace. Strengthen me for the road ahead and help me to live in a way that reflects your love. Thank you for rescuing me and bringing me into the light of Christ. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

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