Introduction: How is your prayer life? Are you satisfied with it, or do you think it could use some improvement? One of my co-workers is an advocate of  “contemplative prayer.” He puts a sign on the door to his office saying that he should not be disturbed because he is praying. Sitting quietly is very difficult for me, and sitting quietly for prayer isn’t any easier. I seem best connected to God when studying the Bible while writing these lessons or listening to a sermon. Our study this week is primarily focused on Paul’s prayers for the Philippians and the Colossians. Let’s dive into our study of these prayers to see what we can learn to advance our personal prayer life!

I. Prayer for the Philippians

A. Read Philippians 1:3. In last week’s lesson, what did we learn was the difference between the church in Philippi and the church in Colossae? (Paul founded the church in Philippi, and he knew the members. That is why his prayer starts out with thankfulness for his memories about those members.)

B. Read Philippians 1:4-5. What about Paul’s prayer brings joy to his mind? (Paul finds joy in thinking about what the members in Philippi are doing to advance the gospel.)

1. When you pray, do you pray only over problems? Do you ever pray in joy for the good things others are doing?

C. Read Philippians 1:6. Is the “good work” in the lives of the Philippians finished? (No. It needs to be completed.)

1. Who will complete that good work in the lives of the church members? (It is the same One who “began” the good work. This must refer to the Holy Spirit.)
2. When will this work be completed? (“At the day of Jesus Christ.” This means the Second Coming of Jesus.)
3. Consider the implications of this. Are only perfect and complete people selected for heaven? (No. The work is completed when Jesus comes again. Those who are arguing that we must advance to reach perfection in this life must deal with this text.)

D. Read Philippians 1:7-8. Paul writes that it is “right” for him to have these feelings about the Philippians because they share with him in God’s grace. Do you feel a bond with other Christians who live through challenges by the grace of God?

1. Or are their challenges proof that they are not walking with God? (A person likely has challenges if they are not walking with God, but so do those who are walking with God. Paul is an example of a saint who faces challenges.)

E. Read Philippians 1:9-11. Recall that I just suggested that those arguing we must become perfect and complete Christians in this life have some explaining to do with regard to verse 6? Paul writes that the Philippians should be “pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” Do I now have some explaining to do?

1. Would you like to try to reconcile verse 6 and verse 10? (If you look at verses 9-11 as a whole, they reveal that the Christian should, in general, be improving in love, knowledge, and discernment. This should result in a righteous life that brings glory and praise to God.)
2. Do you pray for others that they will improve in their walk with God?
3. When I consider contemplative prayer, I think of sitting quietly so that the right thoughts enter my mind. As you think about Paul’s description of his prayer for the Philippians, does it fit my understanding of contemplative prayer? (No. Paul is focused on specific issues connected with the members of the church in Philippi.)

II. Prayer for the Colossians

A. Read Colossians 1:3-5. If you were reading this letter from Paul, how would it make you feel? (I think people love to have others pray for them. But Paul is saying even more, he writes that he thanks God for them.)

1. I’m sure many people have heard someone say, “Thank God for you.” But have you ever heard someone say that in their prayers they thank God for you?

B. Read Colossians 1:6-8.  We discussed last week that Paul did not know the members at Colossae. On what basis is Paul saying good things about them? (The key figure is Epaphras. He brought the gospel to the Colossians and then reported to Paul about their faith and love.)

1. How does Paul know Epaphras? (Read about their relationship in Philemon 1:23. They were both in jail together.)

C. Read Colossians 1:9-10. Does this seem like praise for the Colossians? (This sounds more like instruction. My wife tells a story about two little girls in her class who were praying. The first prayed that the second would have an improved character, and the second then prayed that the first would mind her own business.)

1. Have you ever heard an “instructional” prayer? Do you think this is what Paul is doing?

D. Read Colossians 1:11. When I think about “endurance and patience,” the thought of “joy” does not come to mind. What is Paul asking for in this prayer? (It takes the power of God to experience joy in the face of having your patience tried.)

1. A motorhome towing a car was stopped at a gas pump, waiting to pull forward to refuel. A car pulled in front of him and then backed up, blocking the motorhome from reaching the pump. The motorhome could not back up because of the tow car. Instead of moving, the driver went inside the station to buy something. When he returned, he fueled up—and then sat for a while longer, still blocking the motorhome. If you were driving the motorhome, would you be filled with joy?

E. Let’s switch back to Philippians to further explore the idea of patience and joy. In Philippians 1 Paul writes about what is going on in ministry in his absence. Read Philippians 1:14-17. While Paul is a prisoner, other Christian preachers are trying to “afflict” Paul in his imprisonment. Would this be frustrating to you?

1. Would you feel like the motorhome driver who could not back up and was simply stuck waiting for the obnoxious car driver?
2. Does Paul sound like he is feeling joy when he calls other preachers selfish, insincere, and mean-spirited?

F. Read Philippians 1:18. Paul tells us that he is rejoicing in this! He has joy. How does Paul explain his joy? (He looks at the positive side of things. Even the selfish, insincere, and mean-spirited preachers are sharing the gospel.)

1. What is the lesson for us to allow us to maintain our joy?
2. If you, like me, are sharing the gospel, have you ever asked yourself what motivates you?

G. Back to Colossians. Read Colossians 1:12-14. What does our Father God do for us? (He transfers us “to the kingdom of His beloved Son.”)

1. What do you think it means to be transferred to the kingdom of Jesus? (It means we are redeemed and forgiven of our sins.)
2. As I thought about the motorhome driver and what I would have considered doing had I been in his place, it struck me that by being patient the motorhome driver had much greater joy than if he had confronted the driver of the car. Is this an example of what you think Paul means when he refers to joy in connection with patience and endurance?
3. A popular entertainer in the United States, Dick Van Dyke, just celebrated his 100th birthday. He is still active and apparently healthy. He reported that one secret to his longevity is avoiding anger. Is that a backdoor to joy?

H. Friend, do these prayers of Paul help you with your prayer life? Will you make a greater effort to pray for the spiritual welfare of others?

III. Next week: Life and Death.

Copr. 2025, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Suggested answers are found within parentheses. If you normally receive this lesson by e-mail, but it is lost one week, you can find it by clicking on this link: http://www.GoBible.org. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you study.

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