August 11, 2010

ADDING TO YOUR PRAYER LIST

Scripture Reading--Colossians 1:9-12

The Bible contains excellent prayer lists we can include in our prayer times ( Ps. 51; Eph. 3:14-21 ).  One of those lists is in Colossians 1.  A unique request in verse 10 worth noting:  "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."  In this simple prayer, we can ask God for help to live a life pleasing to Him.

If you've been to a prayer meeting lately, you know that most believers limit their prayer requests to physical or material needs.  There's certainly nothing wrong with these requests; the Bible tells us to "let your requests be make known unto God" ( Phil. 4:6 ).  But imagine if a teen or an adult raised his hand and said, "Please pray for me.  I have displeased my God, and I want to please him more."  That prayer request would certainly differ from typical requests about surgery and car repairs.  Yet it's a biblical prayer and certainly one God loves to hear and to answer.

If it's true that we "have not, because...[ we ] ask not" ( James 4:2 )--and it's certainly true--maybe we would do well to add this request to our list.  Often the added dimension of spiritual prayer requests can be a great blessing.  No Christian can please God in and of himself; the assistance of God is necessary.  God loves to answer prayers we pray according to His will, and certainly pleasing God is according to God's will.

Next time you go to a prayer meeting, consider making requests based on spiritual needs.  God will create a new dimension of prayer when you let God know how desperately you need Him.

PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER:  Ask each family member to list an area where he desires to please God more.  Ask a family member to pray specifically for these areas of need.  God is there to hear and to answer.

--Tom Palmer--