Apostle Paul was instructing his disciples in Colosse about the position of Christ and their position in Christ as believers. He was doing so to raise up a standard against heresies that crept into the church. Prayer groups have often fallen prey to deception and become either legalistic or 'spooky'. Getting back to apostolic doctrine on prayer will help to allign our prayers with God's requirements.

This study can be used in households to prepare a group of people for a prayer meeting. It will lead to a more focussed and accurate communication with God. One could almost describe this exercise as a good spiritual warm up for prayer!
Colossians Prayer
An analysis of apostle Paul’s prayer, with application in a prayer meeting.
BY Aje Pelser

Friday, 07 May 2004

Reading: Colossians 1:9-12
Ask someone to read through the prayer for all to hear.

Mention the context of the verses, especially 1:8.

Highlight the reason for the letter to the Colossians, to make Christ pre-eminent as opposed to Gnosticism (“A fusion of religion and philosophy which taught that matter is evil and spirit is good” ; deifying knowledge.) and Legalism (Strict adherence to laws which are not required when one turns to Christ).

Appoint a scribe for the meeting to capture any ideas or revelation.

Discuss the key words in the passage.

Summarise the discussion and consider the following 3 categories:
1. Will
2. Walk
3. Strength

1. Will: Initially Paul makes request in prayer for them to be filled with the “knowledge of His will”. We know God’s will for our lives is what we call the Bible. It is a testament. When someone writes a will or testament it can come into effect at the death of the testator. When Jesus died for us on the cross, His will was released for us – we can now receive our inheritance through faith in Him. What’s more, he rose from the dead and is praying for us, thus making sure that His will comes into effect in our lives. In order to apply His will for our lives we need wisdom, insight into God’s ways and His purpose for our lives along with workable discernment. Hebrews 4:12 along with Hebrews 5:13,14 reveal how we exercise discernment – it is actually the Word content in our lives that discerns situations and things in life. It is a sign of spiritual maturity when your senses are exercised to discern good and evil, your are skilled in the word of righteousness. Discernment is not a ‘spooky’ talent belonging to a select few. Get to know the Word. People sometimes keep on seeking God’s will for their lives for years, never finding it. This is a ‘soulish’ pursuit (Based on mind, will and emotions), where feelings and mind games lead people in the decision-making process. To them being led by the Spirit is just a ‘gut feel’ all the time. In John 14:26 Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will “teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” Daily discernment through the Word should not be confused with the discerning of spirit – a gift of the spirit mentioned in 1Corinthians 12. Even then, the Word tells one how to discern spirits, or test spirits as 1 John 4:2, 3 explains. God’s will is not a mystery to His children; He reveals it by His Spirit.
Will Exercise:
Pray in the spirit, in tongues, and focus on what God has told you to do in the past.
Allow the Holy Spirit to remind you of scriptures that have meant something to you.
Write those down along with any other clear instructions from leaders, prophetic words from other believers, sermons that have changed you.
Have you accomplished God’s will according to what you have written?
Are there instructions, encouragements or scriptures that remain unfulfilled?

2. Walk: What a challenge to walk worthy of the Lord. However, if you know what He requires of you, and simplify it as we have done above, then walking worthy of God becomes more accessible. Understanding God’s will shows us how to walk; abiding in God’s will causes us to bear fruit – which means we walk the way He wants us to walk by the power of His Spirit in us, producing the harvest of spiritual fruit. We are then pleasing Him by faith in His process, not our own works.

Walk Exercise:
Close your eyes.
Ask God’s Spirit to give you visions in Jesus name.
Practise seeing yourself accomplishing God’s will in the spirit – especially the points you wrote down that you haven’t done.
See His will in your life – you are healed; your friend is saved; you have a job; your relationship is reconciled; He is your provision; you are abiding in Him and He in you by His Word and by His Spirit; you can pray!

3. Strength: God does not expect us to know His will and walk it out without His power! That’s why the prayer concludes with a request for strength according to the might of His glory. This power promotes endurance with all joy. Remember the joy of the Lord is your strength. The best reason to rejoice is the surprise Our Father has for us – He has qualified us in Christ to receive our inheritance! That’s reason to rejoice. All the promises in Christ are yes, and they are Amen. So be it with you!

Strength Exercise:
Praise and Worship God for giving you your inheritance: your healing; your provision; salvation; forgiveness for helping you to fulfil His will for your life, yes rejoice by faith that the things you wrote down will be completed – rejoicing by faith means you thank God as if it has already happened. This expression of joy propels you into orbit to fulfil God’s will for your life.

This concludes your prayer warm up and sets up the group or individual for further adoration of God and His eternal attributes and glory, along with specific requests and supplications.