He continued as he began that life in prayer (Acts 9:10-11 ) . It is readily seen that his intercession for others was undertaken in the fullness of the Holy Spirit and the stamp of inspiration is upon all the recorded examples. Christ is magnified in them, and answered in the lives of those for whom he pleaded, making them a Christ centred people. For example:

	Christ would be resident in them (Ephesians 3:17 ).
	Christ would be reverenced in their walk (Colossians 1:10 ).
	Christ would be served blamelessly (1 Thessalonians 5:23 ).
	Christ's resurrection power would work in them (Ephesians 1:20 ).
	Christ would fill their lives with fruits of righteousness (Philippians 1:11 ).
	Christ would make complete in every good work to do His will (Hebrews 13:20-21 ).
	Christ as the Lord of peace Himself would give peace in every way (2 Thessalonians 3:16 ).

Study the full prayers for yourself. There you will find much more. In giving attention to the prayer for the Colossians (Colossians 1:9-14 ) we see the requirements needed to pray like Paul, and the kind of requests that would be made.

Colossians 1:9 "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; "

"Do not cease to pray for you". Like Paul, those who pray with the understanding and with Holy Spirit utterance are aided supernaturally to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ). It is possible even when we can no longer pray in our understanding, to go on praying with the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:14-15 ). Paul, as a spiritual leader, came to the support of those he led, with unceasing prayer. (1 Samuel 12:23 ).

Paul's strong motivation for this not ceasing to pray, was hearing about their faith and love. Notice, he did not wait for sad news to make him pray in desperation. No, that was not his way - he backed up the good news by prayer.

"And to ask". Asking should be specific and be marked by urgent desire to obtain what is requested. The intense earnestness of the apostle is an essential requirement for our supplication. Remember

James 5:16 "... The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. "

"We also..." It was the response to the good news of those at Colosse that Paul and Timothy united their prayer for them. Being wholehearted in partnership with another has a special power (Matthew 18:19 ). Prayer is an exercise in which it can be often proved that two are better than one.

This summary of requests gives a composite view of a Christ centred people, which is what our praying in the Spirit should produce.

Colossians 1:9 "... might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;"

	To be filled is to be complete in, "knowledge" 'epignosis' (Strong), means recognition. By implication full discernment that is appropriated.
	"Of His will". Here the phrase is to 'thelematos autou', that which God has willed; in Christ and His written Word. Faith and conduct must be in conformity with what He has willed.
	"In all wisdom" 'sopia' (Strong), that is, knowledge of God by which to regulate relationship with God and man.
	"And spiritual understanding, 'pneumatikos' (Strong). Spiritual as addressed to carnal 'sunesis' - understanding (Strong). The use of the critical faculty to evaluate anything, people, things, circumstances, with the help of the Lord the Spirit in the spirit man, giving understanding (2 Timothy 2:7 ).

How appropriate that we can pray that the believers we know will be a perceiving people - and not deceived by false so-called knowledge - discerning from the basis of the all-knowledge of the Holy Spirit in their spirit man (1 John 2:20 ) that knows what God has willed.

Colossians 1:10 "that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, ..."

The knowledge of His will leads to practical obedience in our daily walk. It is possible to live the worthy life because of the supply of His daily grace. Paul, as a bondslave of Christ lived to obediently do His will (Galatians 1:10 ), remembering that Christ pleased not Himself (Romans 15:3 ). Pray for an ambition in both you and His people to be Lord pleasers in everything.

Colossians 1:10 "... being fruitful in every good work ..."

We can pray for the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives and in that of His people (Galatians 5:22-23 ). His beauty in His people is so attractive and soul winning. Let us co-operate with the Lord's will by praying for fruit (John 15:16 ), and more fruit (John 15:2 ), and much fruit (John 15:8 ). Mark, there is expected fruitfulness in every good work, so as to let the light be seen in a dark world (Matthew 5:16 ), and our Father magnified in the eyes of others. Believers are to carefully maintain good works (Titus 3:8 ), benefiting the community with the practical manifestation of God's goodness, generosity and love in His people. Such praying is one with the heart and will of God.

Colossians 1:10 "... and increasing in the knowledge of God;"

God's people are to grow in mature understanding (1 Corinthians 14:20 ), but specifically in their knowledge of God, as fully revealed and known in Jesus Christ. Such knowledge is life eternal (John 17:3 ). Progressive knowledge is through the gracious ministry of the Holy Spirit who instructs and informs and inclines our spiritual reception (John 14:26 ). We need to pray that each one of us grows in intimate knowledge of God in a personal sense, more and more.

Colossians 1:11 "Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, ..."

The Lord's promised power after that the Holy Spirit has come upon you (Acts 1:8 ). You can have a mighty Spirit baptism (Acts 2:1-4 ), and go on to know experimentally His glorious power. Power is promised and power is what is needed. Not just something had in the past, but presently being strengthened - now, the all might for all things. We can pray for those baptised in the Spirit to be supplied daily with His all might. What an impact this will make on our world.

Colossians 1:11... "unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; "

There is no doubt that living in the strength of the Holy Spirit, and being channels of His glorious power, opposition will be stirred up against us, but the councils of hell will not prevail (Matthew 16:18 ). We can help His people by prayer, so they will endure in the face of trial (James 5:11 ), and more, they will in their overcoming experience, show patience, gentleness, in their suffering (1 Corinthians 13:4 ) in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, manifesting His joy (Acts 5:41; 1 Peter 4:13 ). When we pray for a patient people, in actuality we are helping to birth an enduring, joyous people.

Colossians 1:12 "giving thanks to the Father ..."

We have cause to continually give thanks and praise to God. Notice, there are things God has done for us, and things we "have" (Colossians 1:12-14 ). Praise Him for your inheritance.

Colossians 1:12 "... has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light."

All in Christ are recognised by the Father to be joint-inheritors - we are co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17-18 ), being among the set apart ones in the kingdom of light, that is, of purity, truth, love, glory and life. All that is opposite to the realm of darkness in which we were, outside of Christ. Praise Him for your imperishable, enduring, real, secured inheritance.

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Praise Him For Your Deliverance

Colossians 1:13 "He has delivered us ..."

	Thank Him for so great a deliverance from the evil state in which you were once bound.
	Thank Him for being the conqueror in the battle for your soul.
	Thank Him for the supreme Champion that He is.
	Thank Him because you are no longer living under the dominion of darkness.

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Praise Him For Your Translation

Colossians 1:13 "... conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,"

What has happened is that immediately upon the putting of faith in Christ, the believer is no longer under the dominion of evil, but has been put under the sovereign power of King Jesus "the Son of His love." The meaning of "the Son of His love" is not just a reference to His being the beloved of God the Father (Matthew 12:17-18; Ephesians 1:6 ) - it indicates that Jesus Christ is the one in whom the love of God is deposited, displayed, and dispensed. Under His rule we are the full beneficiaries of that inexhaustible love (Titus 3:1-6 ).

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Praise Him For Redemption

Colossians 1:14 "In whom we have redemption ..."

We have been released and restored by legal ransom by our Redeemer Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19; Matthew 20:28 ). "In whom" - in union with Christ, redemption is a present fact - we have redemption with all its attendant blessing.

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Praise Him For Forgiveness

Colossians 1:14 "... through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: "

The solid basis for our redemption and forgiveness is the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:12-14 ). There is nothing partial about our forgiveness in Christ. Our sins are removed (Psalm 103:12 ). Erased (Isaiah 44:22 ), and not remembered (Hebrews 10:17 ). May we ever be thankful, and offer to God the sacrifice of praise continually.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What are YOUR major requests for the Lord's people? (Colossians 1:9-14 ).
2. How can you pray without easing? (Colossians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ).
3. What should your praying in the Spirit produce in others? (Colossians 1:9-14 ).
4. Can you list things you are thankful for right now?