Colossians
Chapter 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.
HCSB Study Bible Notes:
1:9 The opening phrase for this reason harks back to Epaphras's good report about the Colossian believers' faith in Christ. The word filled (the passive verb indicates God as causal agent) typically conveys the sense of "completeness" in Colossians (vv. 9,19,25; 2:9-10; 4:17). Paul asked that they receive full knowledge of His will. The phrase in all wisdom and spiritual understanding expresses the means through which this knowledge comes. This wisdom (v. 28; 2:3,23; 3:16; 4:5) and understanding are spiritual in nature.
1:10-12 The purpose of Paul's prayer was that the believers at Colossae might walk worthy of the Lord so that all their conduct would please Him. Christian behavior that pleases the Lord involves the performance of good deeds; continuous spiritual growth; dependence on His power resulting in endurance, patience, and joy; and expressing gratitude for all things because God enables believers to share in the saints' inheritance.
My Notes:
These verses explain what Paul wants and prays for the believers in Colossae. These are the things that we should be praying for...for ourselves and others. We should, as believers, have a better understanding of our faith and we should ask God to help us to gain this understanding. We do this through prayer and study of His Word.
My prayer:
Lord, help me to understand your will for my life. Help me to have wisdom and understanding of your Word. Help me to know what my beliefs are based on and why I believe in salvation through Jesus Christ . Help me to use this wisdom and understanding to defend my faith and to apply it to my daily life so that others may see the joy and peace that comes only from You.
Amen.