Every church needs prayer. I want to encourage you to pray for yours.

When Paul wrote to the church at Colossae, he began the letter by pledging to pray for them.

He had specific reasons for praying for them, primarily because they were under attack by false teachers.

Every church needs prayer that we would stand under the assaults of false teaching and the pressure of the lost world. Here is Paul’s prayer.

“And so, from the day we heard of it, 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, to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:9-10).

Notice these teachings about prayer. Here are ways we should pray.

First, pray specifically. As you examine this prayer you notice immediately that Paul has several items for which he is praying. Most likely Paul knew to pray in these ways because Epaphras (the pastor of the church?) had journeyed to Rome to minister to Paul and to get advice about the church. Paul wanted the church to know that he knew the issues they faced and that he was praying.

Second, pray fervently and regularly. Paul talked about a constant attitude of prayer by himself and the others in the missionary band.

Third, pray for the spiritual growth and commitment.  Don’t pray based on your preferences but on God’s desires for the church.

Fourth, pray for lives that please God. Our doctrine and our behavior should please God and help a lost world to know Him. We should constantly be praying for one another as we seek to live for God.

Finally, ask God to keep you and your church from the evil one. We face the constant pressure to conform to the world. We need people who will pray for the church.