Collosians 1:9

⁹For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Growing up I went to a Christian School from 1st grade through graduate school.  Between school and church I don’t know how many times I’ve been in a gathering where we took prayer requests and prayed.  Needless to say, I’ve heard a lot of prayer requests.Now I’m not against prayer requests.  In fact, I think it’s a great thing.  I believe that it’s a great way to let others know about the problems going on in our lives and to emphasize the importance of prayer.

Most of the time the requests that are expressed are the “protect me”, “heal me”, “give me” requests.  Certainly these are not wrong, just incomplete.

In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, Paul lets the Colossian church know what he has been praying for them.  Over the next few days we’ll talk about what those things are.

What I’d like to point out to you is that Paul’s prayers for them weren’t prayers for temporary, earthly things like “give them a job”, “traveling mercies”, or “heal them”.  Rather everything he prays for them has to do with their relationship with God.

A large part of loving my brother or sister in Christ is making sure to pray for them.  If we take Paul’s example, most of our prayers for our brother’s and sisters in Christ should be spiritual prayers.  ”Give them wisdom and discernment”, “help them know what you’re trying to teach them”, “Help them grow more like You”.  Certainly we pray for healing, and problems and hurts.  That just shouldn’t be the only thing we pray for.

Love your brother- Pray for them today!