Colossians 1:14-19 – a prayer of Paul

 

God, fill Your people

with the knowledge of Your will,

so we’ll have the spiritual wisdom

and understanding we need.

 

May we live lives worthy of You, Lord.

 

May we please You in every way:

bearing fruit in each good work,

growing in our knowledge of You,

being strengthened

through Your glorious might

with the power we need.

 

May we have the ability

to be patient and endure,

giving joyful thanks to You, Father,

for You have qualified us

to share in Your gifts

with all Your people

in Your kingdom of light,

for You have rescued us

from the clutches of darkness,

and You have brought us

into the kingdom of Your beloved Son

in Whom we have been redeemed –

in Whom we have been forgiven.

 

Mary Harwell Sayler

from the Book of Bible Prayers 

 

 

 

 

Pray for wisdom. Pray for faith.

Bible Prayer, Call to Prayer: James 1:1-8

Bible Pray-er or one who prayed: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ

Prayer Conditions: James wrote to encourage Christians, facing trials of every kind, to “Consider it all joy!” Huh?

Joy by trial?

Why, oh why would such a wise man (and possibly member of Jesus’ family) offer such weird advice?

As James himself explained, “Because you know the testing of faith helps you to endure. And when your endurance has been strengthened, you will be spiritually mature, lacking nothing.“

Having spiritual maturity and lacking nothing are surely causes for joy. The catch is having the faith and wisdom to see that coming!

James’ Ongoing Call to Prayer: “If any of you lacks wisdom ask God, who gives generously and willingly to each of us, and wisdom will be given to you. But, ask in faith! Do not doubt! For doubting sets you adrift as though you’re on a wave in the sea, driven and tossed by wind. Oh, do not be double-minded and unstable and unable to grasp anything from the Lord!”

Prayer from there to here: Dear Lord God, thank You for being all-generous and bringing us all-joy, no matter how things look! Thank You for speaking through James to give us Your word to us today as we face trials – spiritually, mentally, physically, financially, and even literally in a courtroom! Gives us Your wisdom, Lord. Calm the seas around us, so we do not drown but become immersed in Your healing word to us in Jesus’ Name.


© 2012, Mary Sayler, all rights reserved, but pass it on!