Paul Prays for the Colossians
Elaine Poproski Download: Audio
Sunday Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:9-14 (NRSV)
9 For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. Read more…
Looking to Sunday: Preparing to Hear From God
by Elaine Poproski
Are there people in your life who pray for you? I don’t mean people who send up a quick word when you ask, but people who pray for you all the time?
My friend Brenda has post-it note lists of names on her bathroom mirror, on her fridge, and on the cupboard door where the coffee is. Each name represents a person in her life that she prays for all through the day, every day. In my own life, there are people who I know pray for me all the time, regardless of whether or not I have specific prayer requests, which is good, because I’m not very good at asking people to pray for me.
There’s a story in Exodus 17 of a particular battle fought by the Israelites. During the battle, whenever Moses’ hands were held up, the Israelites prevailed. But it was a long battle and Moses’ arms grew tired. So Aaron and Hur stood on either side of him and held Moses’ hands in the air for him until the battle was over and the Israelites were victorious. I love the image this story paints of our need for each other. I think it’s a particularly fitting image of our need for other’s to hold us up before God in prayer. After all, sometimes life is hard and we get tired and we can’t do it alone.
This Sunday we’ll be continuing with our reading of Colossians 1, focusing in on vv. 9 – 14. In those verses we hear that Paul and Timothy are constantly praying for the Christians in Colossae, most of whom they’ve never even met. But they care enough to be praying for them regardless. As you prepare for Sunday, read through these verses. Make note of the specific things Paul and Timothy are praying. Who do you pray for like that? Who prays for you like that?