Scripture to Read: Colossians 1:3
God had given Paul an incredible ministry, as God used Paul to write much of His Word in the New Testament. God used Paul to write words of rebuke as well as words of affirmation and encouragement. God used Paul to write words of warning and give God’s commands. We read in Colossians 1:3, “We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.” God used Paul to give an incredible word of encouragement in verse 3. First, God led Paul to share with the believers in Colossae how he continually thanked God the Father for his brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae. As followers of Christ, we must continually pray for each other. God has called us to fellowship with Him, and as we do, we need to lay our brothers and sisters in Christ before His throne of grace. We must learn to pray the Scriptures like Ephesians 1:18–23, Ephesians 2:1–10, Ephesians 4:17–32, Ephesians 5:1–4, Ephesians 6:10–20, Colossians 1:9–14, Colossians 3:1–17, Colossians 4:3–6, Philippians 1:9–14, Philippians 4:6–8, and so many more. When we learn to pray God’s Word, we have more than enough to pray for each other every day as Christians. We also need to learn to pray for those who are still lost by praying John 16:8–11, 2 Corinthians 4:3–4, 2 Timothy 2:24–26, 1 Timothy 2:3–4, 2 Peter 3:9, and more just like these. Prayer is so vital to our lives and praying God’s Word is life-giving.
Challenge & Application
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!