OCT 3

Colossians 1:1-3-4
Memorise Colossians 1:3
“…brethren in Christ which are at Colossae...”

Colossians 1:3-4 thus reads, “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints”. The phrase “since we heard”, as well as what Paul wrote in Colossians 2:1 suggests that he never visited Colossae. Colossians 1:7-8 suggests that Epaphras was probably the founder of the church, and was the one who brought the report on the church to Paul. Although it is likely that Paul did not know the Colossians personally, he showed an interest in them, and prayed for them – always – and wrote to them, as in this epistle. Note how Paul did not simply praise them, for they might be puffed up as a result; instead he gave thanks to God for their testimony, and ensured that the glory ultimately went to God.

Here we see a wonderful example for us to follow. We all tend to pray for those missions that we know more about, and also tend to pray for those missions that have many needs. Like Paul, we should praise God for those missions that seem to be doing fine, and also remember to pray for them always. I myself stopped praying for a new church planted by my current church several years ago because it seemed that the church was stable, but was mortified to find out recently that the church was torn apart from within. Just like every Christian needs praying for, every church needs praying for, that God may give the grace for the Christian and the church to handle every trial that they face. When the church is faithful, let us rejoice with that church and praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Thought: How often do I praise God for the testimony of others?
Prayer: May I pray more for those I do not know.