How to pray for others

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“… since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.” (Col. 1:9-11 NIV)

The above passage of Scripture is a pattern you can follow when praying for others. Let’s look at the passage a little piece at a time.

  • Pray continually for them

“… since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. Col 1:9)

  • Pray that God will fill them with the knowledge of His will

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives…” (Col 1:9)

  • Pray that they will live a life worthy of the Lord

“... so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord…” (Col 1:10)

  • Pray that they will please the Lord in every way

“… and please him in every way… “ (Col. 1:10)

  • Pray that they will bear fruit in every good work

“… bearing fruit in every good work…” (Col. 1:10)

  • Pray that they will grow in the knowledge of God

“… growing in the knowledge of God.” (Col 1:10 )

  • Pray that they would be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might

“…being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might…” (Col. 1:11)

  • Pray that they will have great endurance

“… so that you may have great endurance…” (Col. 1:11)

  • Pray that they will have patience

“… and patience…” (Col. 1:11)

And finally…

The above passage continues with following exhortation to end your prayers with joyful thanksgiving because God has rescued them from sin and redeemed them.

“… and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:12-14 NIV)

Mike French