The Nugget:
Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (KJV)
Col 1:9 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, (ESV)
Col 1:9 For this reason we have always prayed for you, ever since we heard about you. We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will, with all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives. (GNB, Good News Bible)
Col 1:9 For this reason we have not stopped praying for you since the day we heard about you. We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through every kind of spiritual wisdom and insight. (GW, God’s Word translation)
Col 1:9 We have not stopped praying for you since the first day we heard about you. In fact, we always pray that God will show you everything he wants you to do and that you may have all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)
Col 1:9 This is why, ever since I heard of it, I have never ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you, through full wisdom and spiritual insight, with a clear knowledge of His will, (Williams New Testament)
My Comment:
After waiting for some time, I have decided, Lord enabling and willing, to delve into the important and instructive subject of the Apostle Paul’s prayer life. This ought to be instructive for all of us, whether brand new believers or long time experienced believers.
I have no organized outline or intentional direction to follow. I will follow the text of Scripture, using the cross references provided in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury, which I plan to share and follow here. I may also use the cross references in the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and sometimes The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and rarely Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible. I do this because beginners may find it more easy to work with fewer cross references at a time.
I have no idea where the best place to start will be found. This is the advantage of using the sources of cross references I named. To study a subject or topic, just dive in anywhere a verse on the topic to be studied can be found.
I remembered that one of the great prayers of Paul is found in the first chapter of the short book of Colossians. That is why I will begin this study with Colossians 1:9.
Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Cross References from the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:
Colossians 1:9
since: Col 1:3, 4, Col 1:6; Rom 1:8, 10; Eph 1:15, 16
do: 1Sa 12:23; Act 12:5; Php 1:4; 1Th 1:3, 1Th 5:17; 2Th 1:11; 2Ti 1:3, 4; Phm 1:4
that ye: 1Co 1:5; Eph 1:15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, Eph 3:14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19; Php 1:9, 10, 11
of his: Col 4:12; Psa 143:10; Joh 7:17; Rom 12:2; Eph 5:10, Eph 5:17,
Eph 6:6; Heb 10:36; Heb 13:21; 1Pe 2:15, 1Pe 4:2; 1Jn 2:17
wisdom: Col 3:16, Col 4:5; Psa 119:99; Eph 1:8; Jas 1:5, Jas 3:17
spiritual: 1Jn 5:20
MY COMMENT:
Special Focus: The focus of my study interest is on the prayer life of Paul.
This subject is most directly addressed by the phrase “do not cease to pray for you” found in Colossians 1:9. Here are the texts of the cross references involved:
do not cease to pray for you: 1Sa 12:23; Act 12:5; Php 1:4; 1Th 1:3, 1Th 5:17; 2Th 1:11; 2Ti 1:3, 4; Phm 1:4
1 Samuel 12:23
23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:
King James Version
Acts 12:5
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
King James Version
Philippians 1:4
4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
King James Version
1 Thessalonians 1:3
3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
King James Version
1 Thessalonians 5:17
17 Pray without ceasing.
King James Version
2 Thessalonians 1:11
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
King James Version
2 Timothy 1:3-4
3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
King James Version
Philemon 1:4
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
King James Version
The above texts give us quite a remarkable glimpse into the prayer life and practice of the Apostle Paul. He prays for specific churches. He prays for individuals. He prays with joy. He prays daily. He prays night and day. Paul follows his own injunction to “pray without ceasing.” Paul goes further and tells us specifically what he prayed for as he prayed for these many individuals and concerns. These things are worthy of our study, meditation, and practice.