“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” – Colossians 1:9-10

Notes:

The passage above captures the genuine prayer of the Apostle Paul for the newly converted believers in Colossae.  With this in mind, the high importance and great emphasis mentioned throughout scripture for praying for others (especially those of the household of God) cannot be overestimated.  One of the greatest pitfalls that the church faces is not what we are doing wrong (the sin of commission), but it is neglecting to do what is right (the sin of omission).  I don’t know about you, but I have the tendency if I am not careful to pray only for myself: God’s will for my life, my needs, my family, etc.  I have learned however that in most cases God’s will for our lives is not fully known until we learn to sincerely pray for His will to be revealed to others.

When we do pray for others, what things are we suppose to address? Well, the passage above gives us some insight:

1. That they may know His will in all wisdom and understanding, so that, 
2. they may walk in such a way to please the Lord in all respects
3. That they may bear fruit in every good work
4. That they may intimately know God more and more

Willing to Take the Challenge?

When we pray for others, we open up windows for God’s grace to flow through to make a difference in their lives.  In fact, most of us would not have come into the kingdom without the fervent prayers of other christians on our behalf.  In addition, praying for others puts us in the mode of being “others-minded” and helps guard our hearts against selfishness and self-centeredness.  What amount of your prayer life is directed toward yourself? What amount is directed toward others? 

Starting today, I challenge you to pick 3 people (or more!) that sincerely need prayer and begin to lift them up God’s throne each day. As you do so in all love and genuineness, you will begin to see over time God working through them in ways you cannot even think of or imagine.