Prayer requests

Do we sometimes wonder how to pray for others?

Is it difficult sometimes to know what to say?

Sometimes we don't even know what to say when we are praying for ourselves.

Paul prayed a very simple prayer for the people in the Colossian church.  

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 

 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 

 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 

and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:9-12)

That's different from most of the prayers that we pray for other people, no?

There's no mention of health, or financial needs, or deliverance from difficult situations. Paul prays for the believers' spiritual needs. His prayer is one that we can pattern our own prayers after. By all means, let's continue to lift up those who we know need God's touch of healing. If we know their finances are stretched tightly, let's ask His blessing for them. 

But at the same time, I think it's important that we remember some of the things that are of vital importance in our Christian lives. Things that can help us deal with sickness and disease. With budgets stretched taut as rubber bands . . .

Are we asking God for answers and expecting them to arrive at the speed of our smartphones? Paul wasn't burdened by the feeling that answers needed to come quickly -- he never gave up speaking to the Lord about the Colossians. He had supreme confidence that God would hear; he also knew that spiritual growth is not only vitally important, but it grows slowly. In fact, it's a lifelong process!

Do we sometimes make a simple appeal in our prayers? "Lord, bless so-and-so."  Do we truly care about the people we are praying for?  Then let's keep our eyes (and our prayers) focused on the things that God desires for the ones we pray for . . . that they will know His will, that they will walk worthy of Him, and that they will receive His strength and power.

Again, we should talk to the Lord about physical or emotional concerns, but let's not overlook our need for spiritual growth. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, gave us an example of the kind of prayer God longs to answer. His desire is that we become more like His Son.

If you have a prayer request today, I hope that you will leave a comment so that we can pray with you. Let's be warriors in prayer, and let's be patient, knowing that God answers prayers in the absolute best way, and in the absolute best timing.

Let's pray.