On Sunday, September 22, we looked at putting Jesus first in prayer, and Colossians 1:9-14. Over the past month, as an elder team, we’ve been praying these 6 verses for one another on our team. Allowing these verses to guide our own prayer for one another.
For me personally, it has been encouraging to know that I have some fellow brothers praying for me in these specific areas. Because as I continue to reflect on what Paul is praying for, I realize that these are some of the big things the Lord is growing my own heart in. Major areas that I am longing to see the Lord develop in my faith as I follow Him.
My challenge to us as a church is for the remainder of this series, that we would pray verses 9-14 for one another. In your community groups, in your friendship circles, in your ministries, in your homes. Allowing these verses to guide and lead us to pray for one another.
It is one thing to talk about prayer and the things we should be praying for, it is a whole other thing to then do it and pray for one another. The best way to grow in the discipline and habit of prayer is to get out there and do it.
For some of you, praying out loud with others (spouse, community group, and friends) is a scary thought. You wonder if you’re saying things right, or making sense, or just sound silly. If you can relate to that, then allow these verses to help lead you in prayer. At the end of the day, when you’re praying, you’re talking and listening to your Father in Heaven. He’s a good, perfect Dad who welcomes you to pray about everything (Philippians 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.)
In these verses…we see that Paul is continually praying for others. Prayer is not a one-time event or moment, but an ongoing conversation rooted in relationship. Thus, we’re challenged to pray for one another, not just for a week, but for the duration of the series and beyond. We also see many things that Paul is praying for:
- Lord, give us spiritual wisdom and understanding that comes from you. Help us to discern the truth and then live in light of that truth.
- Lord, help us to live in a way that honors and pleases you.
- Lord, we want our lives to produce fruit and reflect you to the world.
- Lord, we want to know you better and better. Increase our knowledge of you.
- Lord, strengthen us according to your glorious and mighty power.
- Lord, give us endurance and patience, and fill us with joy and thanksgiving.
- Lord, thank you that through you, we are rescued and brought into your Kingdom.
- Lord, thank you that in Jesus, we have redemption, freedom, and forgiveness from our sin.
Then as we pray Crosspoint, I’d love to hear how the Lord is answering our prayers. Share your stories with one another. Send your story to mystory@crosspointcc.org. Let us encourage one another as we continue and build 3D relationships.
Print off this picture and put it on your fridge, or in your Bible, or in the middle of the kitchen table. Find a way to keep it in front of you, as we grow to put Jesus first in prayer.
The above image uses the NIV translation. Here are links to the NLT and ESV translations of Colossians 1:9-14.
The Crosspoint Blog 