Colossians 1: 1-12  This church was begun by the ministry of Epaphras, a fellow worker of Paul.  It does not appear that Paul had visited them at the time he wrote this letter.  He had "heard of their faith in Christ Jesus and the love which [they had] for all the saints."  They had accepted the "truth of the gospel" and they had "hope.. laid up.. in heaven".  

The Bible Knowledge Commentary says this: " Faith is the soul looking upward to God; love looks outward to others; hope looks forward to the future. Faith rests on the past work of Christ; love works in the present; and hope anticipates the future."  It is because of the "hope.. confidence in what God will do in the future".. that we have love and faith.. a greater confidence in God and a deeper love for others. 

Paul says that this truth is "constantly bearing fruit and increasing.. in you.. since the day you heard of it and understood ( or came really to know)  the grace of God in truth." (v6)  

Paul then shares this wonderful prayer that he continually prays for them.. 

".. we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." 

Jonathan Graf in his book Praying Like Paul writes that this prayer helps us.. and those we pray it for.. to know God's will. As we ask for "spiritual wisdom and understanding", we are recognizing that "knowledge of God's will comes through gaining more insight into spiritual things".  Jon states that the "more we gain an understanding of God, the more we will live out all the will of God that is revealed in Scripture...Ultimately, gaining knowledge will be less for day-to-day decision making and more day-to-day kingdom living."   Kingdom living... is "a life worthy of God"..  It is a fruitful life.  It is a live that has "power, endurance, and strength". 

Paul wanted the Colossian Christians to be Kingdom Christians.  We want that too! We want that for our loved ones.. for our church family.. for our brothers and sisters all over the world. May we be faithful to pray.. and not stop praying!

Father in heaven, we do ask that You would  fill us with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  May we come to really know You.. know the greatness of Your grace.. know the blessedness of the hope You have given us.. the faith You have granted us.. and the love You have poured out upon us and through us. We give You thanks.. with great joy.. for all You have done and what You are going to do. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen!