JUN 30

Colossians 4:12-13
Memorise Colossians 4:12
“...stand perfect and complete in all the will of God”

Colossians is one of Paul’s “prison epistles”, written when Paul was in the prison in Rome. He wrote to the Christians in Colossae to encourage them in the faith, and to correct the heresies brought in by others. As he ends the letter, he brings greetings from the many fellow servants that were with him. One of them was a man known as Epaphras, and from him, we learn an important lesson about praying for God’s will.

Do you know Epaphras? Few can recognize the name, but he is a hero of faith! He has worked very hard for the Colossians, and is now helping Paul in prison. He is one of the disciples who can truly sing from the heart “I will follow you wherever you want me to go” – including the dark smelly dungeons in Rome where Paul was incarcerated!

Paul obviously has a very high regard for Epaphras. Can you see the very strong words he used of Epaphras? – a servant (or slave) of Christ; “labouring fervently for you in prayers”! Do you see such faithful servants of the Lord in our church? Among your friends? What about you yourself? What did he pray so fervently for? – that the Colossians “may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” – not that they will be healthy and wealthy! He aims very high for the Colossians whom he obviously loves! His concern is a spiritual one. Though he was presently in Rome, far away from his brethren in Colossae, yet he had a great zeal for them, desiring that as a church, they would fulfil the will of God. Furthermore, it was not just a desire that they would fulfil some of God’s will, but that they would be perfect and complete in all of it! He prayed that they would leave no stone unturned in their bid to do God’s will, that every single aspect of their lives and ministry would be done in accordance to what God wants.

So, now, to answer the question: “must I pray about God’s will”? Isn’t the answer obvious? May this be our daily prayer as well, as we seek God in all things, and desire to do His will!

Thought: Think twice (if not more!) before we pray, so that we can pray for the right things, that is, God’s will.
Prayer: Lord, we cannot live out Thy will on our own strength. We pray that You will reveal Thy will to us, and enable us to live our lives according to Thy will.