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Praying for the Best Things

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9  And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10  so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9-10 

What if you could only make one request of God? What has been the most recurring or most desperate plea from your heart lately? What is the thing that you want God to do the most? The reality is, what we pray for reveals our heart. What we most desire for God to do reveals what we think is most important.  Some of us may struggle to pray at all.  That too reveals our heart. Not praying it reveals that we think we have it handled on our own, that God doesn’t care, that he can’t or won’t help us. None of those things are true and yet that is what we believe when we do not pray or avoid praying for certain things.

If and when we do pray, what we pray for also reveals what we believe about God.  If we pray most often or only about health and safety (things we certainly can and should pray for) what are we saying about God?  When we primarily or only pray for those things, we reveal that we believe that those are not only the most important things to pray for, but they are the most important things to God.  The question isn’t whether we should pray for those things, the question is, are those the most important things? Is it true that God is concerned about our or others’ health and safety? Yes, definitely – He knows the very number of hairs on our head (and whether they fall out). But is it true that God is most or primarily concerned for our physical health and safety? No. How do we know that? God’s Word says other things are more important.

Paul here (and the other believers in the Bible) show us what they believe is most important and true about God by what they most often pray about.  Just like you and I, when Paul prays for others he reveals what he believes is most important in this life.  What does he pray? What does he believe is most important in God’s economy?

That believers be Filled with the knowledge of his(God’s) will. What is important for us is that we know God and know his will for our lives.  Where do we find God’s will for our lives? God has written it down for us in his Word.  Not so much God’s will of what color socks I will wear today, but God’s will as to the kind of life and how I go about this life.  To be filled (not a quarter tank) with knowing what God desires for me as found in his Word. In all spiritual wisdom and understanding, This is taking the next step with the portion of God’s will and word that we understand. This is the ability to discern the truth and distinguish between true and false and wisdom. Making good (obedient) decisions based on the truth.  This means to take time to trace out the practical implications of the knowledge we have. We may have understanding of the truth, but does it actually integrate with the nitty gritty, practical decisions of our lives.  This is different than common sense – graciously given (in differing amounts) to all people.  This is “spiritual” wisdom and understanding. As in given by the Holy Spirit to those who believe in Christ.  We often seek to “be spiritual” when we should instead be seeking to be “led by the spirit.”  That is, led by the Spirit of God who guides us through and in accordance with (never contrary to) the Word of God.

Verse 10 continues,  So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him. So this wisdom and understanding ought to produce some practical outcomes. Namely that all that we do be worthy of our holy God and fully please his heart. Every day, every decision, every moment of our lives is lived either in accord with or against God’s heart. We must know what he desires of us if we are to ever to please Him.  How do we know if we are pleasing Him? We are Bearing Fruit. Our relationship with God and our abiding in Jesus (John 17) ought to produce in us evidences that we know God and are connected to Jesus through his death and resurrection for our sins. We are to bear fruit in every good work.  Paul finishes his prayer asking that they would Increase in the Knowledge of God. God’s desire is that we become more mature by means of knowing God better.  As we know God better we can obey him better. As we obey, we grow. Remember, what is most important to God IS most important. God help us to see the difference.


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