The Apostle Paul has some challenging points to make in his letter to the Colossians, an important one being the power of prayer. Paul rejoices that “the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you … is bearing fruit and growing” (1:5,6).

The gospel is not static – it is a living message. It grows! When we have embraced it our hearts and minds are influenced by its teaching. This was happening in Colossae and so writes Paul “from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you …” (verse 9). Note what he prays for: it is no general prayer of thanksgiving, but “… asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding”. How do we read God’s word? For what purpose? What effect does it have on us? We should also ask ourselves, ‘With what spirit, in what frame of mind do I read it? Is it limited to the aim of understanding it a little better?

We should reflect on Paul’s words about having “all spiritual wisdom” as a result of our reading and ponder whether there is any evidence of this in us. The next verse shows the result that comes when our minds are filled in this way, it leads us “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” (verse 10). Did we “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” yesterday? If not, let us aim to do so today that we may be “fully pleasing to him”.