In my daily Encounter Time, I read several portions of Scripture. I read and underline through the Psalms on an almost daily basis. I’m almost always in the Psalms. Every other month I read a chapter a day of Proverbs. 31 chapters=31 days. I’m currently reading through the NT for the 2nd consecutive time since 2021. My first trip was through while using the New Living Translation. I am now slowly making my way using the NASB2020. I take it slow-one chapter at a time. I’m currently in Colossians.

To keep me more aware of what I’m reading (yes, my mind wanders) not only do I highlight a verse or two, I’d like to use this time to blog about a passage that stuck out to me. I do not know if this will be a 4 post effort-given there are 4 chapters in Colossians-or if I may stretch it out some. I’ll let the Lord lead me on that.

The church at Colossae was a mess. False teaching had gripped many-Gnosticism, angel worship, heresy about who Jesus was, emphasis on “holy” days, and many others. I’ll hit some of them.

But first let me just highlight a passage in chapter 1. In verses 9-12 we have a prayer by Paul that gets to the heart of how serious the problem was in Colossae. Please take a moment to read those verses- 1:9-12. Now take note of what Paul prays for. It is not a superficial “Lord be with them today” kind of prayer. Let’s take a look:

• Be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding…so that we can…
• …Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord
• …Please Him in all respects
• …Bear fruit in every good work
• …Increase in the knowledge of God
• …Be strengthened with all power
• …Give thanks

In truth, each one of those could be broken down and discussed. But that is beyond my purpose this morning.  But they do serve as a true example of what to pray for when you are thinking of yourself and others.

Begin praying that God will bring that to fruit in your life. Also a question: which one of those would you like to see come alive in you?

“Father, may my prayers take on an air of alertness and earnestness for myself and for others.”