As a Christian and student of the Bible you have to see that Paul’s burden and prayer is not simply meant for an ancient group of believers in a forgotten village, but for you today!
That statement may seem like “duh, we know that already” but saints often enjoy Paul’s writings historically or seek to only apply principles from his writings. But like Colossae we need such an unceasing prayer over us. A prayer according to Paul’s vision of the church.
Do you meet and handle all believers as actually handling Jesus Himself ? Do you live daily in the light that Jesus is really living in you? Religion has robbed us of this reality and Satan has certainly been busy. So, when Paul heard that the Colossian saints shared love in the Spirit, he knew they were abiding in the love of the Son in them (John 15:9-10) , and enjoying a inward reality that we often miss. Having heard Epaphrus’ testimony He then could pray for them without ceasing for further revelation. Such things that Paul prays for are covered in this book of Colossians and are mentioned in Ephesians 1:15-23 where he also prayed without ceasing for the church. He’s praying that God would open their eyes to see His big will over the universe and how this big will is centered in Christ and the church, and then he prays that they would walk in light of this revelation, and that Christ would become their subjective experience in all of their daily living, and finally he prays that God would strengthen them with the mighty power and endurance to not give up. Hope to the end. Fight to the end, because this life, this church life will cost something, and Satan hates the church in this realm where Christ is being enjoyed and expressed amongst the members. Don’t shrink back, certainly don’t go back to the world, but don’t become satisfied with religions idea of the church. After Seeing the church in the light of Paul’s revelation do not become fooled with the emptiness of the easy religious church experience. Paul’s praying is for us to be strengthened according to the might of His glory! What language! Glory means expression, so contextually this means the power is for the expression of His big will, which means the expression of His Son in you through the church because this Christ in you is the hope of Glory! (1:27) See it and don’t give in, don’t cave! Enduring for this expression results in unspeakable joy flowing out of saints, the church, who live in the light of this prayer. Amen.
