“How can I pray for you?” she asked.

Have you ever been at a loss for words when asked that question?  Sometimes we don’t even know our own greatest prayer needs.  Have you ever wanted to pray for a friend, a missionary, or a leader, but weren’t even sure where to start?   I certainly have been in that situation more than once.

Recently, I found this commentary in my Bible in the book of Colossians that may help us to pray when we don’t know how to pray for others.  It is based on Paul’s letter to the church of Colosse.

Colossians 1:9-14

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may 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 joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints 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.

(Sounds pretty intense, huh?  Don’t worry – this commentary dissects the passage and makes it a bit easier to know how to pray.  Keep reading.)

Sometimes we wonder how to pray for missionaries and other leaders we have never met.  Paul had never met the Colossians, but he faithfully prayed for them.  His prayers teach us how to pray for others, whether we know them or not.  We can request that they

1) understand God’s Will                                6) be filled with God’s strength

2) gain spiritual wisdom                                  7) have great endurance and patience

3) please and honor God                                8) stay full of Christ’s joy

4) bear good fruit                                            9) give thanks always

5) grow in the knowledge of God

All believers have the same basic needs.  When you don’t know how to pray for someone, use Paul’s prayer pattern for the Colossians.   (End of commentary.)

I’m so thankful for the prayer warriors that lift up prayers for Haiti and Haiti Deaf Outreach.  Prayer is our most important need!