Praying for Others

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"For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may live worthily of the Lord and please him in all respects -- bearing fruit in every good deed, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might for the display of all patience and steadfastness, joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the saints' inheritance in the light." Colossians 1:9


These words from Paul have really made me stop and think about how I pray for others (myself, too, for that matter). Yes, I pray for others often. I pray for their health, for their safety, for peace and hope, guidance in difficult situations, etc. All of that is great and I think God wants us to pray for those things.

But, how often do I pray for their spiritual growth? How often do I pray that "God will fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spritual wisdom and understanding"? How often do I pray that my friends will "live worthily of the Lord and please him in all respects"? Or, how about these -- "bear fruit in every good deed", "grow in the knowledge of God", "be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might for the display of all patience and steadfastness"?

Then, to take it a step further as Paul did.... how often do I pray these things for fellow Christians of whom I have never met, but have only heard of as I sit in a prison cell? Granted, I'm not in a prison cell at this moment (and don't ever plan to be), but if Paul can look beyond his own needs as he is in prison surely I can pray a similar prayer for others from the comfort of my own home.

Prior to praying this same prayer for others, though, I think I must first be sure I pray it for myself. As I do, I think I need to be very aware and ask myself these questions (these came from my study guide, "Cappuccino with Colossians" from the Coffee Cup Bible Studies):

* Are my good deeds motivated by self-glory or God's glory?
* Am I growing in the knowledge of Him?
* Is God the source of my strength?
* Do I exhibit patience as a result of my relationship with the Lord?
* Do I have joy as I give thanks?


I'm not sure I can pray for others as Paul did until I am very sure of the answers to the above questions in my life. As I do and as I ask for the Lord's guidance in these areas, I also begin praying the same for others. That together, we would all live a life worthy and pleasing to the Lord.



6 Thoughts Shared:

Beth in NC said...

I love your last paragraph Melanie: "I'm not sure I can pray for others as Paul did until I am very sure of the answers to the above questions in my life." Great point.

I pray that I would live a life pleasing to our Lord too.

Many blessings,
Beth

Sab said...

I think I need to take a good look at my prayer life as well. Thanks for sharing this. I would not have seen this otherwise.

I think I need to learn how to pray... not only for others but for myself. I have a real hard time praying for myself. i don't know why.

God bless!

Beth E. said...

Wow...this is so true! Thank you for a very soul-searching post, Melanie. I have to ask the same questions about my own prayer life.

Blessings,
Beth

Tricia said...

Hey Melanie
I am just popping in real quick because I need your mailing address, I finally have my pay it forward stuff ready to mail and can't seem to find where I had put your address. Can you please send it to me again?

I will be back later to read your post more thoroughly... it looks like a good one!

Blessings!

bp said...

I appreciated you sharing this. This is something I've not thought about.

Tricia said...

Hey Melanie
A great post, and definitely some great nuggets to implement in our prayer lives! Thanks for sharing!

Blessings!