July 25, 2021 -- Colossians 1:3-4 -- Powerful Prayer

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints…
Colossians 1:3-4 English Standard Version

Dear Christian friend—I wonder who Jesus directed to pray for you, so that the Spirit of God stirred up your soul and you found and continue to find delight in the things of God? In Colossians it is Epaphras who was the faithful prayer warrior so that the Good News of Jesus Christ would reach the Colossian Christians.

Those of you, dear readers, who do not call yourselves Christians yet, but are now interested in the things of God and curious, you may well ask who is praying for you that your interest in Jesus is so stimulated? Paul writes to the believers, teaching them and us, it is fervent prayer that extents the reach of the Gospel. God has chosen to work through the prayers of His people.

Believer, if the LORD has put it on your heart to pray for someone, do it. Take a moment right now and pray. Trust that your inclination to pray has been directed by Jesus. However stumbling your praying might be, it will be made strong and effective by the Spirit of God Who lives in you. Trust that the one you are praying for is appointed by the Father to receive life and that person will take hold of the Good News of Jesus.

It may not be immediate. The person for whom you are praying may be years away from believing. It may be decades in the making, but the prayers of a righteous man, the prayers of a righteous woman, are powerful and effective. It is so because believers are made righteous by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Father in heaven, thank You for Your great love and covenant faithfulness by which You draw men and women, boys and girls to Yourself through the work of Jesus Christ. Beautiful Savior, we bless You, for the cross by which You have glorified the Father and made open to us the way to our Father's love. Spirit of Truth, thank You for directing us as believers to dig deeper into the Word and mine precious truth from its pages. Spirit of All Comfort, thank You for directing us to pray for those around us. Forgive us, Mighty God, for the times we have ignored these promptings and denied ourselves the joy of sweeter fellowship with Yourself. Move us, this Sunday, to drink deeply from the wells of salvation and follow Your prompting and instruction. Amen.

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