PRAYING FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD The thrust of Apostolic prayers is very apparent – at least to those who are "spiritually minded" (Rom 8:6). A brief review of some of these prayers will serve to prepare us for this lesson. In all of these examples there is a certain direction in the prayers. This world is consistently made subordinate to the world to come. There is also an obvious concern for the maturity, stability, and productivity of the people of God. This will be very apparent. -- Tomorrow:
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." (Colossians 1:9-11, KJV)
Devotion 2 of 32
1. WISDOM AND REVELATION. "That the Father would give the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himself" (Eph 1:17). If God is not known, no other knowledge is of any consequence.
2. KNOWING WHY GOD CALLS. "That the eyes of the understanding might be opened to perceive the hope of God's calling the intent for which we have been called" (Eph 1:18a). If we do not know why God has called us, our lives will be off-center.
3. KNOWING THAT WE ARE GOD'S INHERITANCE. "That the eyes of the understanding might be opened to see the riches of God's glorious inheritance in the saints" (Eph 1:18b). The knowledge of what God intends for His people to be to Himself, is critical to living acceptably.
4. COMPREHENDING THE POWER TOWARD US. "That the eyes of the understanding might be opened to see the exceeding greatness of the power that is toward those who believe" (Eph 1:19). If we do not know the nature and greatness of the Divine power that is directed toward us, our ambitions will be too small.
5. STRENGTH IN THE INNER MAN. "That God would grant believers to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man" (Eph 3:16). Christ will not remain in a weak and frail inner man.
6. CHRIST DWELLING WITHIN. "That Christ would dwell in their hearts by faith" (Eph 3:17). Christ will dwell within us in direct proportion to our faith. A person with "little faith," at the best, will have only a little of Jesus.
7. COMPREHENDING THE MAGNITUDE OF SALVATION. That, being rooted and grounded in love, the saints might be able to comprehend "what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Eph 3:18-19). Rooting and grounding speaks of spiritual stability and dependability. This brings the ability to perceive and appreciate the remarkable scope of salvation. A deficiency in this area is far more serious than ordinarily perceived.
8. ABOUNDING LOVE. That the love of the saints might "abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment" (Phil 1:9). An abounding love toward one another requires perception, understanding, and sound judgment.
9. APPROVING THINGS THAT ARE EXCELLENT. That saints might "approve things that are excellent" (Phil 1:10a). The postulate is that God's people are regularly exposed to spiritually "excellent things." However, it is not the exposure that brings the blessing. Rather it is the hearty approval and embrace of them.
10. READY FOR THE DAY OF CHRIST. That saints might "be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ" (Phil 1:10b). Sincerity is purity, and being "without offense" is a condition before God Himself. These are needful qualities.
11. FILLED WITH THE FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. That they might be "filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Christ Jesus" (Phil 1:11). Having some "fruits of righteousness" is one thing. Being "filled" with them is quite another matter. This equates with "much fruit," wherein God is glorified and discipleship is confirmed (John 15:8).
12. FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL. That believers might be "filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Col 1:9). There is such a thing as a keen and thorough awareness of Divine purpose and intentions. This is not a mere intellectual matter, but results in practical wisdom and an understanding of the things of the Spirit.
13. WALKING WORTHY OF THE LORD. That saints would "walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing" (Col 1:10a). There is a spiritual condition in which the individual is especially pleasing to God like a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22).
14. FRUITFUL IN EVERY GOOD WORK. That they would be "fruitful in every good work" (Col 1:10b). Godly works are not an end of themselves. It is the harvest, or result, of them that is especially honoring to God. To be "fruitful in every good work" is to enjoy the increase that God alone can give.
PRAYER POINT: In the name of Jesus, I thank You for revealing the manner in which insightful and inspired men prayed for Your people.