Keep Praying!

July 2, 2026

Keep Praying!

Last month, I was awakened from an afternoon nap by the sound of sirens going down our street. I looked out the front door to see the emergency medical crew had stopped at an older couple’s house. Although the sirens were turned off, the lights were still flashing.

I immediately prayed for the emergency crew to have the skills and experience needed to treat the person who was suffering. I also prayed for the patient as well as their spouse. It was not long until the medical crew loaded the patient in the ambulance and left for a hospital.

Although I did not know exactly what the problem was, my prayers continued for the patient and their spouse.

Prayer makes a difference! I am confident Jesus heard my prayers. I am certain Jesus will answer my prayers in His own way and in His own time. Prayer changes me, prayer helps other people, and prayer provides what I need to navigate my circumstances.   

In the opening portion of his letter to the church in Colossae, the Apostle Paul lifts up the value of prayer. In Colossians 1:9-10 Paul writes; “For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’swill in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.”

Paul reminds the Christians in Colossae that he has not stopped praying for them. It makes a big difference in the life of the person for whom you promised to pray to know you are still praying for them. Paul tells the Christians in Colossae he is still praying for them.

I was in a longer season in which I was struggling to overcome a challenge. A couple of people assured me they would hold me in their prayers. The person who reached out to me a few weeks later to tell me they were still praying for me had a great impact on me during that struggle. Sometimes we need to remind the other person we are still praying for them.

Paul reminds the Christians in Colossae about the thing for which he has been praying for them. In Colossians 1:9 Paul says he is “…asking (Jesus) that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding…” It is important to remind the person for whom you are praying about the focus of your prayers for them.

Are you praying they will have strength and courage? Are you praying they will find help? Are you praying they will have their hope restored? Are you praying their heart or mind or body will be healed? Are you praying the Lord will provide for them? Are you praying the Lord will protect them while under attack? Are you praying for discernment in a big decision? It encourages the other person when we let them know we are praying for them and for what we are praying for them.

Paul reminds the Christians in Colossae that when his (and their!) prayers are answered, he is confident there will be four outcomes.

+First, they will walk in a way that is worthy of the Lord.

+Second, their life will be pleasing to the Lord.

+Third, they will bear spiritual fruit as they do the works of faith.

+Fourth, they will grow in their knowledge of God.

In Colossians 1:10 Paul says he is praying for the Christians in Colossae. Paul writes; “…so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.”

Remind people you are praying for them. Let people know for what you are praying for them. Share with people that when Jesus answers their prayers it will be clear in the way they walk with the Lord, in their confidence they are pleasing to the Lord, in the fruit their life is producing, and in their growth in the knowledge of the Lord.

I invite you to pray for a friend today. I encourage you to pray in a way that models what Paul describes in Colossians. When you do, your heart will fill with delight in the Lord.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug