Praying the Scriptures

Colossians 1
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant.  He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as 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. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.


Thank you, Father, for the love you are growing in us for our brothers and sisters in Christ that exists because we live in hope--that you are who you say you are, that you have paid the price of the sin that used to separate us from you so that now, in faith, we get to enjoy relationship with you now!  And we have hope that you are changing us daily, transforming us into your image so that one day we can fully enjoy relationship with you and with your people--unhindered by sin!!  Thank you that this hope produces love in us.  Thank you that the truth of your Word came to us--that we heard it and understood your grace in truth!!  Thank you that it is bearing fruit in each of us and in this world.  Father, I pray for us.  May we be filled with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding!!  Teach us to seek this out in your Word and through prayer and through fellowship with one another!  Help us to walk in a manner worthy of You, fully pleasing to You, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in our knowledge of you!!  Show us how and equip us!!  Strengthen us with all power, according to your glorious might--for all endurance and patience with joy.  There is so much in this life that requires our patience and endurance--we are in the difficult middle...help us to live joyfully with the glorious end in sight.  We thank you and help us to always thank you because you have qualified us, you have given us an inheritance, you have delivered us from darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of our beloved Jesus, in whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of our sins!!!  Thank you!!  In Jesus Name, Amen.