"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." 

-Colossians 1:9-12

What do you pray for people when you don’t know what to pray for people? What kinds of things can you pray for your church, Christians friends, spouse or kids? Of course, there are the usual things like protection from evil, provision, health, emotional well being, etc. But how do I really help someone with my prayers?

Thankfully, the Apostle Paul regularly wrote down the specific things he was praying for the churches in his letters to them. These are divinely inspired prayers that God delights to answer with “Yes!” every time. We see priorities in Paul’s prayers that supersede the normal rat race of work-a-day life.

Here are five topics from Paul’s prayer for the ancient Colossian Church.

These are things you can begin praying for others that will address the root issues and core principles of their life.

1. Pray for them that they would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will.

Not just the knowing of his will, but an experiential personal knowing that includes “spiritual wisdom” and “spiritual understanding.” This is primarily a prayer that the person or people would be able to integrate what they know about the gospel into their everyday decisions and overall attitude.

2. Pray that they would walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.

Pray that they would be pleasing to Him, that they would bear the fruit of humble obedience (love, good works, service, generosity). This prayer is also relational. It’s not about performing for God, but communing with Him and increasing in the experiential knowledge of God, not just book knowledge of God. This is a prayer for them to “know” God personally.

3. Pray for power, endurance, patience and joy.

The Christian life cannot be lived rightly on our own strength. You can always tell when someone is trying to live out Christianity without God because they are bitter, judgmental, standoffish, rude, and hypocritical. Pray that God would continually fill them with His Spirit to take the next step of faith. Pray that they will walk with the joy of the Lord which is our strength.

4. Give thanks for them.

Give thanks that God qualified them through the resurrection of Christ to be in the family of faith. Pray that God would fill them with gratitude and contentment that comes from belonging to Christ, no matter the circumstances.

5. Don’t give up. 

“We have not ceased to pray for you.” Praying for others is perhaps one of the greatest acts of love you can give to someone.

Homework:

Take 5 minutes and pray through this list for All Souls Church or a loved one.

Grace and peace,

Harvey Turner