This is what Scripture declares… “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective!” (James 5:16) In fact, I am one who believes that the prayers of the righteous, offered in faith and submission to the will of God, are ALWAYS ANSWERED… ALWAYS!!! In fact it is prayer that transcends generations!
So this morning I read the great thanksgiving and “apostolic prayer” of Paul in Colossians (1:3-14) and jotted this note in the margin of my Bible… “This great apostolic prayer was prayed centuries ago! Oh may it be answered in the life of every believer – each aspect of it!” Hey, I believe Paul’s apostolic prayer was powerful and effective not only for the little church in Colossae, it is still being answered TODAY!
Why don’t you let Paul’s apostolic thanksgiving and prayer become an echo on your lips today (i.e. reinforce it with your passion and faith for your Christian friends, your congregation, and Christians everywhere)… Here’s an adaption of it I developed and used this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord”…
“Lord, I thank You because of the report that I am hearing about my Christian friends… About their faith in Christ Jesus, about their love for all of God’s people, everywhere, and about the hope they have of heaven through the gospel! And Lord Jesus, I praise You that the gospel they received and are sharing, is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, just and it has been doing among them, where they are!
“Lord, for these reasons, I continually pray for them – I ask You to do the following things for them… First of all, please fill them with the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding…
“And then I pray that they will…
“Live a life that is worthy of You – worthy of what You have done for them and who You are. And I pray that they will please You in every way… That they will… Bear fruit in every good thing they are doing for You and others in Your Name; that they will continually grow in their knowledge of You personally;
that they will be strengthened by Your glorious power – with the result that they have great endurance and patience as they serve You; and finally that in all of this, they would joyfully be giving thanks to You, Heavenly Father – the One who has qualified them to share in the rich inheritance they have as Your people. Oh Lord help them to be aware of the fact that You have rescued them from the dominion of darkness and transferred them into Your wonderful kingdom – granting them redemption and forgiveness of sins!” (Adapted for personal prayer and thanksgiving from Colossians 1:3-14)
Hey, I believe the Lord will hear and answer that prayer! Apostle Paul prayed it in the will of God – the Lord heard it, has answered it, and is answering even now! Why not let your praying of it be a passionate, believing echo!!
Coffee With The Lord 