Colossians 1:3-12, An All and Everything Prayer (1)

Before we begin to look at the wonderful prayer of Colossians 1, I want to note the short benediction of Phil. 4:20: Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever.  Amen. This might be about as simple a prayer as we can pray.  Simple, because it is the essence of all things.  There were some major themes in Paul’s letter to the Philippians.  Paul’s testimony in Chapter 1, joyful that Christ is preached, even by those who took issue with him personally, is powerful.  The “Christology” is some of the finest in the NT.  Chapter 3 on the Christian life as knowing Christ in His resurrection and His death is profound.  His words of advice throughout Chapter 4 yield verse after verse that many Christians have committed to memory.  What a wonderful letter.  And in the end, Paul can commit the entire matter to the glory of our “God and Father.”  We should be finding this short prayer or something like it on our lips and in our hearts frequently.

Now let us come to Colossians.  As we had in Philippians, this prayer has a definite thanksgiving (v3-8) and request (v9-12) section. 

For whom is Paul praying?

“the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colossae” (1:2)

To whom is Paul praying?

“the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v3)

This is the same depiction of God Paul used in Eph. 1:3. The two letters were written and delivered at the same time.  But that is not the only reason why Paul might refer to God in this fashion.  The letters are similar in their emphasis on the fullness we have in Christ.  Ephesians encourages the Gentile believers in the face of Judaistic pressure while Colossians encourages Christians in the face of Gnosticism.  In both cases, believers are encouraged to understand who they are in Christ and to live accordingly. 

This prayer we have called an “all and everything prayer.”  Thus it makes sense that Paul would address the One who is the source of our blessings in Christ, “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  This is how Jesus taught us to pray: Our Father who art in heaven.  We come, praying by the Spirit, in the name of Jesus, to our heavenly Father.

What moves Paul to pray?

He is moved by thoughts of these believers: praying always for you, since we heard of your faith, love and hope.  The Philippian Church Paul knew well; he was blessed to think of them, having them in his heart.  The Colossian Church was one Paul heard about.  There is no record that he visited Colossae, although he might have when he was in Ephesus.  Yet, this good news of God’s work among them created a genuine love for them and a desire to see them grow in Christ.  Building the Church is what Christ is doing; Paul rejoices whenever he sees it happening.