NOW WHAT?

One of the most outstanding lessons I’ve gotten from the last trip to India is that God answers prayer.  Many thanks to all of you who prayed for us – it makes all the difference in the world.  Please keep praying for us and the pastors in India.

Often we don’t know exactly how to pray so we pray for physical protection and resources.  Jesus showed us how to pray for ourselves when He gave us the Lord’s Prayer, and He showed us how to pray for others when Paul recorded his prayer for the Colossians (1:9-14).  He was in prison writing to and praying for people he never met.

He has one request, and it’s different than what we usually pray about for ourselves or others.  “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will” (Colossians 1:9).  His greatest desire for them is that they are controlled by the knowledge of God’s will so they can follow and serve Him.  What better request could we ask for ourselves or others, including the pastors in India?  This happens as God’s Holy Spirit gives wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9b).

The reason Paul asks they be able to live a life worthy of the Lord and pleasing to Him is fourfold.  First, so they can bear spiritual fruit that pleases God (Colossians 1:10a).  Second, in order to grow in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10b).  Next, to be able to endure trials with joy (Colossians 1:11).  And finally, to be able to give thanks to God (Colossians 1:12).

Why Paul wants them to live a life like this which pleases the Lord is because He has brought us from darkness to light (Colossians 1:13) and has redeemed and forgiven us (Colossians 1:14).

Pray these verses.  Pray for these things for yourself, for us and for the pastors and Christians in India.  Thanks!  (February 12, 2018  Doylestown, PA)

James 5:16  The prayer of a righteous man (or woman) is powerful and effective.

Open your Bible to Colossians 1:9-14 and pray these verses for yourself, us and the pastors in India.