The Motivation for Prayer
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Colossians 1:9 NASB
For this reason – Would you like others to pray that you might be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding? That’s what I want. I want others to pray for me that I will know God’s will and know God, not just know about Him, but really know Him and be aware of His presence in my life. Paul wanted the same thing for his brothers in Colossae.
But why would anyone pray for these things for you or me, or for the followers of the Way in Colossae? Paul provides an answer to this question about motivation. It’s an answer that helps us judge whether or not we are worthy of such efforts by others.
Paul introduces his intercession with the phrase dia touto, literally “through this.” As a result of something he and others had witnessed, Paul is driven to offer intercessory prayers. What did he observe? He observed all of the following: the reputation of reliability (faith) according to the ways of Yeshua HaMashiach that embraced the whole community (all the saints), the expectation of continual residence in the place of God’s abode according to the truth of the good news, constant fruitfulness which continues to increase and benevolence toward others at cost to yourselves (love in the Spirit). These things cause Paul to make intercession.
Notice what is not on the list. Needs! Everything on this list is about what these people are doing for others, about their public reputation, about their consistent walk with God. There is not a single mention of economic conditions, political persecution, personal struggles or any private concern. Paul is motivated by the effect these people are having on others and the way that they uphold God’s name. Struggles are not in focus.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that we should not pray about needs. Of course we should and we are instructed to do so. But I think it is telling that Paul’s motivation for a deeper experience and comprehension of God and God’s will does not come from life’s struggles. Struggles are just part of every human life. What Paul sees of noble character, of character so noteworthy that it demands intercessory prayer, is impact! Impact for God. Impact on others. If those are in place, everything else seems to follow.
Once again we ask: “Do you want others to intercede on your behalf so that you know the will of God in fullness of wisdom and understanding?” It seems you must first ask, “Am I living in such a way that others recognize my walk with God, my devotion of community, my actions of grace and compassion? Do I ‘love in the Spirit’?”
Topical Index: prayer, dia touto, motivation, Colossians 1:9
Lock, Stock and Barrel
It is a matter of motivation. What motivates a man? Any man? And why should “any man” pray? (May any man pray?)
Yeshua exhorted his own followers, His talmudim-His disciples-His students to pray. His own words? ~ “And when you pray..” Similar to Genesis 1.1 “in the beginning..” prayer seems rather like an assumption.. (My followers, the ones who wish to be like Me and to know the Father fully – are going to pray)
Sooner or later, (hopefully sooner- and the sooner the better!)- We who are His, we the sheep who belong to the (always Good) Shepherd are going to “bow the knee” before Him and acknowledge (recognize and realize) His Presence and Provision in our daily,-moment-by-moment lives.
Prayer is not optional- it is essential. Prayer, for the Christian is both vital and critical. Prayer starts with (and maybe ends with) simplicity.
When someone (anyone) does something “nice” for you,- what is our “right response?” Do the words “thank you” – ever proceed forth from our lips? This is the very elemental act of thanksgiving or the giving of thanks to the one who has given us something. “Thank you for the present, Father. You are welcome, son!” Someone (Him) gives- someone (us) receives.
The giving of thanks is a great place for us to start. Everything comes from somewhere. It all has a source. This Source, we recognize as God- our Lover and Giver of every good and perfect gift.
Now, what do we have that we have not received? The revelation and ready answer? Nothing.
Everything (everything) is the gift of God. Shall we start “the list?” Do we really need to remember and review- where it all comes from? Maybe we do, but here is a warning- it’s gonna be a long, long list!- including ‘O man’- every time a breath is drawn and every time a heart (any heart) beats.
Is God “that” intimately and intricately involved in our seemingly ordinary “daily lives?” That and more..- so “much more..” More (I’m afraid) than we will ever know. ~ the very hairs of your head (and mine) are numbered ~ And of course, the question, – “why?” Why bother? And the very same One who numbers the hairs on our heads and the sands upon the beaches, numbers and names the stars!
This has to qualify for the “understatement of the year award,” – What a mighty God we serve!
I cannot nor will I ever begin to fathom the “greatness of our God,” other than to agree and confess, ~ great is the LORD and greatly to be praised and His greatness is unsearchable.. ~
Friends, there is no top, no sides- no bottom- Just how “big” is God? I actually have an answer!..
“Bigger.” So much greater than I know! All my brain combined with my (very active) imagination cannot “go the distance” to take it all in.
Ahh.. but the best way, the absolute best way to know God- and this seems to be our goal ~ that I may know Him.. ~- is to know the One who humbled Himself and became a man, the second Adam, – One of us.
And how may we know Him? How do we know “any man?” By spending time with them, listening to the words they speak and watching what they do. But the very best “news” of all is this.. God wants, His desire is, His will, His good pleasure is for us to know Him. God is not out to hide Himself from us. God is love. Does love desire to be alone? No.
God is in the business (process is a better word) of building a Bride for Himself. There is a “heavenly honeymoon,” yet to be!
The written word and the resurrected Incarnate Word are One. There is One whose Name is “The
Word of God.” Folks may think His Name is Jesus or Yeshua, but He has a Name none of us know anything about. His Name is the Word of God. We do not have sufficient breath to say or to speak tHis Name.
Let’s do a little Hebrew review: ~ and the Child (son of man and Son of God) shall be called … “Pele-yoez-el-gibbor-Abi-ad-sar-shalom” Is this all? Not by a long shot. There is more and “so much more!”
We do not know tHis Name, but we are learning (still learning) this Name. It is the Name which is above all names, for He is the King who is above all kings and the LORD who is above all lords.
Once we begin to know this Name- and names in Hebrew always reveal “nature,” this adds to the depth of our prayers for then we know Him as our Rock and our Redeemer and our Shelter and our Shield, and this could continue for quite some time!
So, where to begin? Back to “bow the knee..” This is the position of prayer. Better yet is to lie prostrate upon the ground and to seek the lowest place possible, -somewhere beneath the very dust for our nose to fit in. Low, and then lower.. do you believe in God?
~ You (may) believe that God is One; well and good. Even the demons believe that–(they know firsthand Who He is!) and tremble with fear ~ (James 2.19)
May I? – “and (they) tremble with fear..” How flippant, how shallow are our “supposed” prayers.. “Bless the meat, let’s eat!” Oh, Heaven is happy with that one- no doubt. (not!)
And how we run through our prayers at gallup speed! Fast and furious praying! Sounds like a buzz saw wacking it’s way through the wood, as if to say- ‘can’t wait to get this over with!- amen.”
May we? May we actually “enjoy” praying? Is prayer (he inquired) something we “endure?” or something we “enjoy?”
May I confess? I (do) love to pray. Sweet “hour” of prayer? No. Sweet “twenty-four” hours of prayer! Prayer is not only “man” speaking, but it is also “man” listening! Prayer is not “one way!” Listen LORD, for your servant speaketh!” No, not at all.
Here is the starting place of prayer- “Heneni” This is the prayer of presentation. We “bow the knee” (the same word in Hebrew is “blessing!” and we present ourselves before Him and say, “here am I” and we might add to this- “just as I am!” – a sinner in need of a Savior! – another mess who needs to be transformed into a message!
One final thing about prayer.. (does it ever end?- no!) Prayer always transforms the pray-er, the one who prays. When you pray, – you will not leave without being metamorphosed or changed). Prayer will take us places we have never experienced before- and we haven’t even touched upon “praise” yet!
Too much time in speaking, and not in “doing..”- It’s time to pray! Way past time! What is the best way to ‘redeem the time?” Yes, – it is… prayer.
~ and when you pray, (brothers and sisters) say – “our Father..” ~
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with Friend!
Thank you Skip and thank you Carl for this soothing words to my soul after yesterday’s Word. Thanks for the motivation to look deeper in ourselves to see where we are going and what are doing with what He says we must do. Thanks and G-d bless you.
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 THES. 5:16-18