Plant

1) Verse 9 says “for this reason ‘also’”. What is the “also”?
Paul, the itinerant preacher who moved across Asia Minor to preach the gospel, plant churches, and then go back and encourage those churches to stay true to the gospel, had never physically visited the brothers and sisters in Colossae, at least not at the time of this writing. Paul had heard of them through another co-laborer in the early church, Epaphras, (verses 7-8) and their work to share Christ was known throughout the “entire (known) world.” (verse 6) Clearly, their love for Christ had caught fire in Colossae, and as is intended by God, was igniting others with its flame as they drew people towards knowing Jesus as Savior. The primary reason Paul and his companions prayed fervently for the church in Colossae was simply because they were fellow believers, followers of the same Jesus Christ who had rescued Paul from his own sin and transformed him with a new life. This was not a random group of people, even though they had never met or even exchanged personal details. They were brothers and sisters in Christ, and that was enough reason to come before the throne on their behalf. (verses 3-5) Adding, however, that these believers were “bearing fruit” in their own lives and simultaneously influencing the world around them (verse 6) through the same extravagant love shown them through Christ’s love, and Paul had even more reason to pray deeply and fervently. Because Paul knew what they were in the middle of, he could pray with laser intentionality. Because Paul could identify with them through his friend, Epaphras, his heart was knit to theirs and he prayed for them.

2) What does this passage teach about the “guts” of prayer?
This prayer from the heart of Paul is so rich in content! A few major highlights include:
1) He prayed consistently. Paul did not pray for the Colossian believers a handful of times and then check them off his prayer list. Because of his personal connection through Epaphras, he marked out time every day to pray for them. (verse 9)
2) He prayed for fullness. Depth of understanding who God is as He reveals Himself through Scripture is core to following Jesus. If we do not properly understand who God is, we have created an idea of Him in our minds that doesn’t line up with Scripture. (verse 9)
3) He prayed for their captivating witness. These believers had already proven to be world changers and influencers for Christ with His winsome love. Paul prayed this would not only increase, but that they would know God’s character better as a result of His work through them. (verse 10)
4) He prayed for their relationship with God. As they grew closer to God, becoming steadily more intimate with His heartbeat of love, Paul knew the outcome would be their own encouragement and delight in relationship with the Lord. They would be strengthened, their hearts would be emboldened, they would be joyful, and they would grow thankful as their hearts were focused ever more intently on the freeing gospel of Jesus Christ! (verses 11-12)
5) He prayed the gospel. Paul knew that everything hinges on the gospel, the freedom it brings, and the hope it points us toward. The gospel is not only for those who don’t know Jesus, it’s for every believer. We need to preach this gospel to ourselves daily, which is exactly why Paul includes it in every letter he wrote and wove it into the prayers he prayed. (verses 13-14)

3) What is absent from Paul’s prayer list and what does this reveal?

Often, what Scripture doesn’t say, is just as important as what it does say. While it’s dangerous to take this line of thinking too far (ridiculous example: the Bible doesn’t specifically say don’t gorge yourself on taco bell tacos after midnight, so it must be a healthy choice!), we can wisely look at what the Bible is silent on as long as we are simultaneously holding that conclusion up to the rest of Scripture to verify its validity. In our western church culture, we are quick to pray for safety and protection and blessing, generally intending monetary blessing and physical protection. While it isn’t wrong to pray for health, safety, and protection because the Lord does care about every aspect of our lives including physical, Paul only notes it in a specific prayer 1 time out his many, many recorded prayers. (3 John 1:2) We never once read of Paul praying monetary blessing over any one or any church. Paul’s main focus in prayer was the gospel unleashed in a believer’s life and their continued, steady spiritual growth through Scripture and the unity of biblical community.