PRAYING FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD " 9c . . . that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will . . . " YE Here is a prayer for the corporate assembly – male and female, bond and free, old and young, etc. This is not a prayer for the leaders alone. It is not a particular prayer for the elders and deacons, or those serving in some kind of official capacity. It is for the entire church ALL of the saints in Colossae. WHY MAKE THIS POINT? There is a reason for making this point. We are living in a religious culture that has established a new set of objectives for the church. They call for a professional clergy and specially trained religious experts, neither of which are identified in the Word of God. The work of these professionals is close to the world, and can hardly be distinguished from crafts that are driven by the wisdom of this world. This new religious culture has contributed to even further divisions in the body of Christ. -- 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 10 of 32
The prayer that follows is the standard for all who are in Christ Jesus. There are, it is true, some "desires" that are appropriate for certain groups believers. For example:
1. Elders are to "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock" (1 Pet 5:2-3).
2. "Young men" are to be "an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim 4:12), and "be sober minded. In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you" (Titus 2:6-8).
3. Young married women are to "be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed" (Titus 2:4-5).
4. A widow is "at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord" (1 Cor 7:39)
5. Servants, or slaves are to "be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men" (Eph 6:5-7).
6. Masters are to "give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven" (Col 4:1).
These various roles, however, are not at the heart of the kingdom of God. They all represent temporary relationships that are confined to this world. For that reason, they cannot become the core of sound doctrine. Rather, they are relations and duties in which the redeemed can properly "adorn the doctrine" (Tit 2:10).
Further, no special Apostles or Prophets were assigned to these groups. There are not special spiritual gifts that are being administered for these groups. The trend of specialists for these and other divisions of humanity are all of man's making. Whatever value they have is measured, and must not be placed upon the throne of emphasis.
There is no question that these lower relationships are to be addressed by the church as required. However, after all is said and done, these were not the subject of Paul's prayer, or any other Apostle, of the Lord Jesus, or any of the holy Prophets. They were not at the heart of the Gospel that was preached. Having said that, you may be sure that the prayer before us indirectly addresses every lower relationship of believers. There is grace sufficient to satisfactorily address them all – but it is under the greater canopy of our relationship to God through Christ.
Those who do not seek the matters addressed in this prayer will be forced to resort to methods and humanly devised techniques to address interpersonal relationships. It is most unfortunate that this is the general approach of the contemporary church. The results of such efforts speak for themselves. The larger congregations of our land have more assistant staff members than Jesus had Apostles!
In this prayer we have a word that is addressed to everyone in the congregation: men and women, old and young, teachers and learners, bond and free. It is for the troubled and distressed, and the happy and knowledgeably blessed. All are included, and none are excluded.
This text recognizes no walls between believers. Paul will pray for things that all believers need. Those who are proficient in the areas for which he prays will not be deficient in any needful facet of life.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus I desire to be noted in heaven for pleasing You and doing Your will. Grant me grace to be expert in these matters.