Introduction
George Mueller is a man well known for his effective prayer life. He supported thousands of orphans without ever asking anyone for supplies or even making the needs known. Instead, he daily asked his heavenly Father to supply the needs his family and ministry needed. But even George Mueller struggled to pray sometimes. He would rise and begin praying as soon as possible, but his mind would often wander for 15-30 minutes before he could focus on prayer. Eventually, he began to read the Bible before he began praying. In that habit he found the key to unlocking the spirit of prayer. It prepared his heart, and gave his prayers substance. Do you struggle to pray? Colossians 1:9-12 gives us a glimpse of the prayer life of the apostle Paul. It will challenge how you pray, and jumpstart your prayer life if you use it as a guide. Are you ready to learn to pray?
Observation
Pray
Before reading and seeking to understand this passage, ask God to illumine your mind and give you understanding and wisdom through it.
Read Focus Verses
Read Colossians 1:9-12, and notice what ties the passage together.
One Thing
What is happening in these verses (hint: look at verse 9)?
Keyword – Pray
Use this symbol to mark the word pray so that when you go through this passage again, you will remember it is Paul’s prayer for these believers.
Pray, Prayer, Supplication
Marker
Mark the word pray in verse 9 to remind yourself of the content of the next few verses.
Get Some Context
Read the verses around today’s passage – Colossians 1:3-23 – to get a little context and gain perspective on this prayer.
Who?
Who is praying for whom?
Whom?
Are the people Paul is praying for believers in Jesus Christ or unbelievers? How do you know from the passage?
When?
When did Paul begin to pray for these believers according to verse 9?
Desire
What does Paul desire for the believers in his prayer for them?
Knowledge
What two kinds of knowledge does God especially highlight as important for the believer through Paul’s inspired prayer?
Strength
What will God’s strength equip believers for in verse 11?
God
How is God the Father described in verse 12?
Interpretation
Another Prayer
Paul prays a similar prayer for the Ephesian believers in Ephesians 1:15-23. Notice that he started praying for them as soon as he heard their faith too.
Wisdom and Understanding
In verse 9 we see that the knowledge of God’s will comes from wisdom and spiritual understanding. See what Proverbs 9:10 says about the beginning of wisdom and understanding.
Beginning
What is the beginning of wisdom?
Transformed
Romans 12:2 explains how we come to know and live God’s will.
Renewed
How does a person come to know God’s will?
Walking Worthy
In Ephesians 4:1-3 we see a little bit more detail about how we are to walk worthy of the Lord.
How?
How is a believer to walk worthy of the Lord and the calling He has given?
Pleasing the Lord
Verse 10 says that those who walk worthy of the Lord please Him. One example of a man who pleased God is found in Hebrews 11:5.
Pleasing God
Stop and consider what a wonder it is that a believer can please God! Why is this so amazing?
Fruitful
See what Philippians 1:9-11 says about a fruitful Christian bringing glory and praise to God.
Good Works
Colossians 1:10 speaks of being fruitful in every good work. See how Ephesians 2:8-10 develops the theme of good works.
Not Works
According to Ephesians 2:8, what can works not do?
For Works
Once a person is saved, how will they live according to Ephesians 2:10?
Eternal Life
Verse 10 talks about knowing God. Note what John 17:3 says about knowing God.
Knowing God
What is the result of truly knowing God?
Strengthened
Paul prays in verse 11 that the believers will be strengthened. Romans 8:11 explains who strengthens a believer.
Who?
Who strengthens a believer?
What Did He Do?
What did the Holy Spirit do that shows us how much strength He has to work through us?
Giving Thanks
Verse 12 speaks of giving thanks. A couple of chapters later, in Colossians 3:17, we are told when to give thanks.
When?
When are we to give thanks?
Inheritance
God has made Christians partakers of an inheritance according to verse 12. Read about whose inheritance this is that Christians will share in Romans 8:16-17.
Sharing
Whose inheritance does a Christian share?
Application
Prayer
How will what you have studied about this passage impact how you pray for other believers?
Inheritance
What would it look like if you were to live today as if you were about to inherit everything with Jesus?
Wrapup
Closing
We hope this study has given you a glimpse into Paul’s prayer life, and jumpstarted your own.
Feedback
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