Grow • Devotion #1: Pray for Knowledge
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:9-10
When I wake up at night and cannot sleep, I pray. I first listen to see if God has placed someone on my heart. Often, I know some things I can pray for them, but not always. I might not sure what they are going through, but I can pray.
We tend to pray for health, finances, and relationships. This is good, but Paul prays for two other things in Colossians 1:9-10.
- Pray “that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will.”
Pray that they would know what God’s plan for them is and that they would follow it. Philippians 1:9-10 says, “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” People should seek the “knowledge” of God’s “excellent” plan. Good is not good enough. In Romans 12:2, Paul again tells us to seek discernment in finding God’s plan, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Good is not good enough when “perfect” is offered and expected.
- Pray that you are “increasing in the knowledge of God.”
We have the privilege to know God personally. Christianity is more than a religion; it is a relationship with God. A healthy relationship involves getting to know each other better. God knows everything about you and still loves you. Do you know Him? Peter, like Paul, emphasizes knowing God in 2 Peter 1:2, “May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” Later, in 2 Peter 3:18, he adds, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” A very important aspect of growing in our faith is “the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” It can take work. In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” In the King James Version, this verse opens with the command to “study.” Studying must be intentional and takes work. Take time to get to know God better.