Colossians 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;”
Have you ever had someone tell you that they are praying for you? Throughout the years of my ministry, there are probably no words more comforting to me than to hear that someone is praying for me. I realize that the more people pray for me the more God has an opportunity to use me.
In the verse above, Paul said that he was praying for the Christians in Colosse. He then goes on to tell them how he was praying for them. What he told them regarding how he prayed for them is truly an outline to show Christians how to pray for others. Let me show you what these verses teach us about how to pray for others.
First, pray that people will know the Word of God. Notice it says, “…that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will…” The will of God is found in the Scriptures. When praying for people, pray that they will learn how they are to live the Christian life through God’s Word. Pray that God will give them an understanding of His Word as they read It.
Second, pray that people will walk pleasing to God. Paul said in verse 10, “That he might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing…” As you go through your daily prayer list, ask God to help those you pray for to stay away from sin. Daily ask God to protect them from the moment of temptation. Too many people are falling into sin, and I believe part of that is because there are not enough people praying that God will lead people away from temptation.
Third, pray that people will be fruitful in their endeavors. Verse 10 continues to say, “…being fruitful in every good work…” I want you to notice the words, “good work.” Don’t pray for God to bless a person who is not doing a good work, but anything that is good you should pray that God would help them to be fruitful in those works. Ask God to help them to be fruitful in the workplace and in their spiritual life.
Fourth, pray that God will increase a person’s knowledge of God. Verse 10 continues, “…and increasing in the knowledge of God;” Ask God to teach them more about Him on a daily basis. Whether you are praying for your children, family member, pastor or church member, what better thing to pray than to ask God to teach them more about Him.
Fifth, pray that God will strengthen people. Verse 11 says, “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power…” Yes, pray for people to have God’s power on their life. Imagine what would happen if everyone prayed for each other to have God’s power. The thought of what could happen is astounding. Ask God to empower them to do the works they are doing for Him that day. Ask God to empower them in their marriages and home life. Ask God to empower them in their daily walk. An empowered Christian will certainly have a great influence on those around them.
The next time you receive a prayer sheet in your church to pray for others, let these five things guide you in praying for others. When you go through your personal prayer list, pray that God will help those on the list in these five areas. Furthermore, when you pray for yourself, ask God to help you in these five areas. This is a spiritual way to pray, for it is the Scriptural way to pray. You now have no need to fear the next time you say to someone, “I’m praying for you,” for you have learned how the Scriptures teach you to pray for others.