Pray Daily For Wisdom

– Ponderings:

I turned this morning in my devotional time to the letter of the Apostle Paul to the believers in Colossae (the Colossians). It’s not very long, but it’s full of little gems. Paul begins by thanking God for them and their faith and then says:

“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, 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.” (NIV).

Paul’s desire is for them to grow in spiritual wisdom and understanding. He prays for them to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will so that their lives might reflect God’s glory. But Paul’s prayer extends beyond knowledge to transformation. He wants these new believers to “live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way.” This means more than just doing good things—it means being in step with God’s will, bearing fruit through our works, and growing in our relationship with Him.

How is this possible? I don’t know about you, but determining God’s will is often difficult … and transforming my life and my desires to align with God’s will is even more difficult. Even when God’s will is obvious, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. I think it helps that Paul doesn’t pretend it will be easy.

He stresses the importance of prayer, seeking knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. He emphasizes the need to be strong and patient, finding the source of our strength in God. We are not called to live the Christian life in our own strength but to rely on God for endurance, patience, and joy, even in difficult circumstances. He reminds us of the inheritance we have received in Christ. Our redemption and the forgiveness of sins are key to living a life worthy of the Lord.

Do you pray daily for wisdom and understanding? Are you asking God to reveal His will for your life and help you live your life according to His will, or do you wait to pray for help once things have gone wrong? Paul’s words remind us that God’s power offers strength when we feel tired or impatient. In the meantime, when we feel uncertain and not in control, we can still thank God for the forgiveness of our sins and the inheritance of eternal life. We can choose to let gratitude guide our perspective throughout the day. Can you imagine how this might change how we live our daily lives? What do you think?

Prayer: God, thank you for rescuing me and bringing me into the kingdom of your Son. I ask for wisdom and understanding, so I may know your will and live a life worthy of you. Help me to bear fruit in every good work, to grow in faith, and to rely on your strength instead of my own. Fill my heart with joy and gratitude. In Jesus’ name, Amen