The Nugget:
Col 1:3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, (KJV)
Col 1:3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in our prayers for you. (GW, God’s Word translation)
Col 1:3 Each time we pray for you, we thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)
My Comment:
Colossians 1:3 is actually the first of the several mentions of thanksgiving in the book of Colossians. Paul mentions giving thanks in all four chapters of Colossians.
Studying each of the cross references given for Colossians 1:3 will lead to an abundance of further instruction and encouragement to give thanks and to pray.
For example, I have given the reference to 2 Corinthians 1:11 where I share the other references to the Greek word underlying the key words giving thanks found in Colossians 1:3, where it is translated thanks may be given:
2Co 1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
2 Corinthians 1:11
ye also. 1Co 12:22.
helping together. or, cooperating. 2Co 9:14, *Exo 17:12; Exo 36:29, Est 9:20, Isa 37:4; Isa 62:6, 7, Act 12:5, *Rom 15:30, 31, 32, Eph 6:18, 19, *Php 1:19, Col 4:3; Col 4:12, 1Th 5:25, 2Th 3:1, *Phm 1:22, Heb 13:18, *Jas 5:16, 17, 18.
by prayer. Gr. deēsis (S# G1162, +1Ti 2:1). A petition for a special object, having regard to our necessity rather than to God’s sufficiency to supply it: giving prominence to personal need (CB, Appendix 134,II.3, p. 164). Psa 6:9, *Rom 15:30.
that. 2Co 4:15; 2Co 9:11, 12, Act 12:5, Eph 6:18.
thanks may be given. Gr. eucharisteō (S# G2168). **2Co 2:14, Mat 15:36 g. Mat 26:27 g. Mar 8:6 g. Mar 14:23 g. Luk 17:16 g. Luk 18:11 g. Luk 22:17 g, Luk 22:19 g. Joh 6:11 g, Joh 6:23 g. Joh 11:41 g. Act 27:35 g. Act 28:15 g. Rom 1:8 g, Rom 1:21 g. Rom 7:25 g. Rom 14:6 g. Rom 16:4 g. 1Co 1:4 g, 1Co 1:14 g. 1Co 10:30 g. 1Co 11:24 g. 1Co 14:17 g, 1Co 14:18 g. 1Co 15:57, Eph 1:16 g. Eph 5:4; Eph 5:20 g. Php 4:6, Col 1:12 g. **Col 3:17 g. 1Th 1:2 g. +*1Th 2:13 g. 1Th 5:18 g. 2Th 1:3 g. 2Th 2:13 g. Phm 1:4 g. Rev 11:17 g.
I believe, based on a study of the above cross references, that prayer for others is very beneficial, even when we ourselves may not be in a position to witness the outcome of our prayers. Paul asked others to pray for him, just as Paul shared that he prayed for them.
Here are the cross references for Colossians 1:3 as I have collected them in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:
Col 1:3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
Colossians 1:3
give thanks. Gr. eucharisteō (S# G2168, 2Co 1:11). Col 1:12, Act 27:35, Rom 1:8, 9; Rom 6:17; Rom 16:19, 1Co 1:4, Gal 1:24, Eph 1:15, 16, *Php 1:3, 4, 5; *Php 4:6, 1Th 1:2.
to God. Psa 72:17, +Rom 15:6.
and the Father. Joh 1:14.
Lord Jesus Christ. +*Act 10:36, 2Co 11:31.
praying. Col 1:9; Col 1:13, *Eph 3:14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19; Eph 6:18, *Php 1:9, 10, 11, 1Th 3:10, 11, 12, 13, *2Th 2:16; *2Th 2:17, 2Ti 1:3, Phm 1:4.