Moving Past “God Bless So-and-so”

Maturing in Prayer - Starting with Colossians 1:1-12


Multiple times in God’s Holy Writ we are told to pray for one another. Yet, at times, we are not sure what to pray. Between rushed morning prayers or sleepy bed-time prayers, our good intentions often turn into anemic offerings; puny prayers punted for those who need and deserve better. Now that we all feel sufficiently guilty, what shall we do? How about some help from God’s word?! Colossians 1 models a prayer that speaks of specific & significant spiritual needs we all have. It points us towards God’s glory and other’s spiritual growth. Let us pray!

Col. 1:9 “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, 10 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; 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.” - NASB

A KSD Summary of the Prayer (I bet you can do better. Go for it!): “We are praying that His will you would fully know so in His ways you can fully go - worthy of & pleasing Him. It will show, to Him & others, as He causes fruit in you to grow: in your knowing, doing, enduring & thanking.”


A Poem - Pre Apologies to Real Poets


Beyond “God Bless Them”
KSD – GEFC - Aug. 2006


Now I bow my head to pray
But I’m fresh out of things to say
So once again, the same old way:
“Dear Lord, please bless them all today”

Now, a blessing is no small thing, true.
But what specifically do I want God to do?
Yes, “suite a blessing to their need”
But, there is more for which I should plead

Are they seeking to know God?
On His path, do they trod?
His holy will, do they know?
Or on His ways, do they go?

Are they walking worthy of Him
Pleasing Him with vigor and vim?
Is fruit increasing in their life
Knowing God despite life’s strife

Do you ask Him to empower them,
Make them faithful and patient within?
For them are you giving thanks
That God has rescued them from sin

Oh Lord, please teach us how to pray
To help us use your word each day
To seek Your face in all we do
For us and others – skoodley-do


Okay - I threw in the skoodley-do as a bonus. . .
Pray for me - use Col. 1 - thanks. ;-)