Colossians 1:9-12
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:9-12 (NIV)
Who are the people you pray for and who prays for you in return? Where do you go for words on encouragement and support in faith?
On this Confirmation and Reformation Sunday, we remember the words of Paul who, while alone in prison, writes words of encouragement, prayer, and hope for those in the faith. It’s by remembering these words that we lift up and pray with all the saints past, present, and future still today.
- We pray for those in need of healing;
- We pray for all those who strive for justice and peace;
- We pray for those 54 confirmands who will affirm their baptismal faith;
- We pray for the church to continue to reform towards looking like the kingdom of God;
Just like Paul, even when we might be alone or lost or down on our luck, we can pray for those in faith.
By God’s Holy Spirit of reformation, we see that the church has continued to be shaped through times of growth, struggle, and even global pandemics. We give thanks that it’s by God’s Spirit, not our own, that we continually are empowered to bear fruit in all that we do and say.
Questions for Reflection:
- Who are the people that pray and encourage you?
- Who do you encourage and pray for?
- How might these words of Paul empower you in your faith journey today?
Prayer:
Gracious God,
We pray that we may continue to echo the words of encouragement and strength to all who need to hear it. We ask for your Holy Spirit to continue to be stirred up in the lives of us all, so that we may live lives bearing good fruit in all that we do. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Amen.
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