A Life-Changing Prayer

Many Christians today experience a significant disconnect: they accumulate vast amounts of information about the Bible, yet they struggle to apply scripture to everyday decisions and relationships, meaning this knowledge does not affect how they live. Paul’s prayer for the Colossians provides a vital model for all believers seeking practical spiritual growth and wisdom.

The story of the Church has been repeatedly “dyed in golden hues” by the power of intercessory prayer. Interceding simply means praying for someone else.

The Practice and Power of Intercessory Prayer

Intercessory prayer is not reserved solely for “super Christians” or those called to a specific prayer ministry; we are all intercessors, whether we realize it or not. Jesus Christ is the ultimate intercessor, praying for us, and we are called to follow His example by offering supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanks for others.

The Bible instructs believers to offer intercessory prayers for:

• Those in authority.
• Friends, fellow countrymen, and the city of Jerusalem.
• The sick.
• Enemies, including those who persecute and forsake us.
• All people.

The Necessity of Ceaseless Prayer

Paul’s prayers for the Colossians were tireless and ceaseless; he had possibly been praying for them for nearly 10 years by the time he wrote the letter. We are taught to pray without ceasing, meaning we should never get discouraged and never quit. It is easy to give up on prayer if immediate results aren’t seen or if one’s personal agenda isn’t fulfilled, but God answers prayer in His time.

John Wesley advised believers to “Storm the throne of grace and persevere there, and mercy will come down“.

The Victories of Intercession

The historical record confirms the power of intervening prayer:

• Raymond Edmund: A young missionary in Ecuador was desperately ill and expected to die by morning. Thousands of miles away, his friend, Dr. Joseph Evans, interrupted a prayer meeting, crying out, “I feel we must pray for Raymond Edmund in Ecuador“. The group prayed earnestly until Evans proclaimed, “Praise the Lord, I’m sure the victory’s won“. Edmund recovered, went on to have a remarkable career, and personally mentored hundreds of students, including Billy Graham.
• James Fraser: In 1908, this missionary to the Lisu people of China found that the remote region made gathering for church nearly impossible in winter. Instead of fretting over the obstacle, he committed to interceding for the Highland believers during the snowy months. When spring arrived, he found the converts thriving, strengthened more by their personal Bible study and prayer than when he had visited them before. Today, over 400,000 Lisu are Christians.

Paul’s Petitions: Knowledge, Wisdom, and Understanding

The heart of Paul’s intercession for the Colossians is found in Colossians 1:9. He begged God to fill the believers with the knowledge of God’s will.

Paul prayed for this knowledge to be given in a specific way: in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. This was particularly important because the Colossians were facing serious challenges from false Gnostic teachings that were threatening to lead them astray with incorrect ideas about God. Paul aimed to replace these false ideas with true knowledge of Christ.

Defining Wisdom and Understanding

Paul understood that knowledge alone was not enough. We must pray that God will equip the loved one we pray for with the presence of God so that he or she will know what to do.

• Knowledge: Knowing Scripture.
• Wisdom: Doing the right thing without a precedent. Since we live in unprecedented times where new things are constantly happening, this wisdom is needed now more than ever.

Instead of merely worrying or offering advice for someone who is struggling, believers can follow Paul’s model and pray: “Lord, fill them with knowledge of Your will and all wisdom and spiritual understanding“.