TEXT TO REFLECT ON
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
COLOSSIANS 1:9-14
REFLECT
The Apostle Paul lived in two worlds. In one world, he was acquainted with suffering. He knew first hand how difficult it was to rejoice, and to endure patiently his dire circumstances and the wickedness of the world. He knew that this suffering was especially severe for Christians. He had been persecuted and pursued relentlessly not just by the Romans who were their natural enemy, but the religious leaders of his own people. Not only had the Jews sought to take his life, fellow Christians were spreading rumours and lies about him. It would have been easy to hate those who were doing evil to him.
He knew also how easy it was to give up on living a life pleasing to God. He would be constantly lured back into longing for his life of privilege, or giving in to violence against his persecutors. Living in this dark world, Paul learned how easy it was to succumb to darkness.
But Paul had also tasted life in the other world. This was the world in which Paul could see with all spiritual knowledge and understanding what God had done for those who believed – the power that enabled believers to endure patiently and with joy, their present circumstances in the present world. This was a world where believers, whom he knew as saints, had an inheritance from God, and vile as their lives had been, had been forgiven and redeemed by God. In this world, God was their Father, who loved and valued them more than His own life and comfort. Paul was able to see this other world clearly, even though it had been hidden from others.
And Paul prayed fervently and without ceasing that the saints would see this other world as well, that their entire attitude towards their priorities in life, and towards their difficult circumstances, would change. Rather than being overwhelmed by darkness, the saints in Colossus would live lives worthy of God and pleasing to Him, and endure patiently and with joy whatever they were going through.
RELATE
I often wonder who has been praying for me. I have on several occasions been at the verge of giving up on life with God. The darkness of sin had on these occasions overwhelmed me. There were times when I questioned if it was worth the while serving God. Life would be so much easier to bear if I lived as the world lived, fought as the world fought, pursued goals as the world pursued, and valued the world’s possessions. But it was at such times of dark despair that God came to me to give me a fresh understanding of His love for me, and His Presence with me. And these occasions have energised me to follow Him again. But such occasions could not have happened in a vacuum. Someone must have prayed. Occasionally I get hints that some person or persons had been praying for me. But most times I do not know who has been praying for me without ceasing. These are persons who have loved me and held me in their hearts, and perhaps sensed that I was in despair. And they had prayed for me. Because of them, and because God answered their prayers, I have been lifted from despair.
I am deeply grateful for these unknown persons. And I realise that each of us needs companions like these. We should not just be praying for pastors and those with high profiles. The man sitting quietly in the corner at church needs our prayers. As does the woman who sneaks out just before the Benediction is prayed. Or the active (and chatty) extrovert. Or your best friend. Or your 'gang', the friends you hang out with all the time. Each one needs somebody to pray for them. God will direct you to them. And when He does, I pray that you will respond lovingly and faithfully to God’s prompting. You will be shocked to eventually find out what your prayer had done for each of the least of our brethren.
REST
I want to share a song by Heritage Singers. It is a song that has lifted my spirits whenever I am down. This song reminds me that God knows how weak I am and how desperately I need help. And He tells people or even one person to pray because He will intervene in answer to that person’s prayer. Do check out the song on youtube or spotify. It may lift your spirit too.
Someone is Praying for You
Someone is praying for you. Someone is praying for you
So when it seems you're all alone, and your heart will break in two
Remember someone is praying for you
Have the crowds round you gathered in the midst of the storm?
Is your ship tossed and battered, are you weary and worn?
Don't lose hope. Someone's praying for you this very day
And peace be still, is already on the way
Someone is praying for you. Someone is praying for you
So when it seems you're all alone, and your heart will break in two
Remember someone is praying for you
When it seems that you've prayed ‘til your strength is all gone
And your tears fall like raindrops all the day long
He cares and He knows just how much you can bear
He'll speak your name to someone in prayer.
Chiu Ming Li
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