Praying Blindfolded

Colossians 1:9-14 New International Version (NIV)

⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,^[a] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, ¹² and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you^[b] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. ¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

How do we pray for someone we don't know, like missionaries across the globe? How do we lift up politicians to God and pray for them when we not only don't know them personally, we don't always understand what they are up against, the challenges they face? This is where the Holy Spirit comes alongside and using the words from Colossians 1:9-14, guides our prayers. 

It isn't necessary to have a personal relationship with the person we are praying for. We only need a personal relationship with Jesus. We can pray as though blindfolded, moving forward boldly because there is the Holy Spirit to guide us. The yellow highlighted texts above list a few of the things we can pray about for those strangers we are called to pray for. 

These are things we could all use more of in our lives. Let's pray for one another, even if we have never met.

Colossians 1:9-14

Promises - Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16

The verses we have to read this week are preparing us for things to come, good things.  The stories in Genesis and in Hebrews herald the coming of a King, a redeemer and they are filled with promises of a wonderful life when lived in harmony with God's Word.

"and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” (Genesis 22:18)

I have to admit that my life, even when I wasn't living in harmony with God's Word, felt pretty good at the time.  When I read these words I can't quite relate, as I was not always a faithful follower, but I didn't go around with tears in my eyes and an ache in my heart, like I do some days now.  Do these words shock?

Let me put it another way.  Abraham and Sarah were happy before Isaac came along.  They loved one another and must have had good times together.  Then when God's promise was fulfilled and Sarah gave birth they were happier than before, they felt like they were closer to each other and to God.  

"The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed." (Galatians 3:16)

I was happy, then I began a personal relationship with Jesus and I became happier than I had been before.  There was a missing piece in place.  God's promise of peace and hope filled my life.  The fulfillment of God's promise makes all the difference in our lives.  For me, that is why Christmas is so special, why I cling to His promises every day and why you should to.

Read the Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16 texts here.

A Candle in the Darkness - Psalm 119:105-112

Are you afraid of the dark?  Living in the north woods of Wisconsin gives new meaning to the words, "dark outside."  When night falls, it is very dark out.  That was one of the first big differences I noticed about life in the country as opposed to the city.  I need lamps to light my way after dark.

Sometimes life itself seems very dark and it seems easy to loose my way.  When forced into a new lifestyle, a strange atmosphere of living alone; dark can overwhelm.  There are those times in life when it is very difficult to discern a path to take or a direction to turn.  I need a lamp to light my way in the dark.

Years of living without a personal relationship with Jesus had me in the dark all the time.  Then a light was shone and the path became clearer.  Have you noticed your way being illuminated once you decided to grow closer to God?  Are you, like me, drawn to the light after having experienced the dark?  Do you also need a lamp to light up your life?

"Your word is a lamp for my feet,  a light on my path." (Psalm 119:105)  Growing Up Strong in God's Word sheds light on my world allowing me to see more clearly.

Read the text for today's reading, Psalm 119:105-112.

Not long ago I bumped into someone I had not seen for some time. I was familiar with this person to some extent, as we had taken a number of classes together. But, when we met that day I was shocked by her looks. I wondered if she was the same person. There was a glow about her; she looked healthier than she did before. There was a remarkable aura given off and I felt a little stunned, and at a loss for words. I began to ask her about the change, and she smiled and explained that she had developed a personal relationship with Jesus.

I was thrilled by her explanation and over coffee, we discussed the story of Moses. We talked about the time Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the second set of Commands the LORD had given him, and his face was radiant. He didn’t know it, but everyone who encountered him saw it immediately.

“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.” (Exodus 34:29-30)

A personal relationship with our LORD changes more than the inside; more than our heart. This loving relationship often changes our countenance as well. What an amazing God we serve!

Read the entire text for today at Biblegateway Exodus 34:29-35
 

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