12.25

A Biblical Example of Spirit-led Praying "For this reason we also, since the day we heard
it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of
His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may have a walk worthy of the
Lord, fully pleasing Him. (Colossians 1:9-10a)"

As we have seen, the Lord calls us in various ways to pray without ceasing. We are to
engage every issue of life every day in every way through Spirit-led prayer: "Praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18). In addition to
this extensive call to prayer, the word of God also gives us heavenly insight concerning
the general content of our prayers. Our next two meditations reflect this by offering a
biblical example of Spirit-led praying.

The Apostle Paul prayed consistently for the believers at Colosse. "We do not cease to
pray for you." God's will was the primary issue about which the Holy Spirit impressed Paul
to pray: "to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will." Such praying will
ultimately lead people into the word of God, where the will of God is revealed. "This is
the will of God, your sanctification in everything give thanks; for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:18). Truly understanding God's will
requires heavenly insight: "in all wisdom and spiritual understanding." Of course, this is
the ministry of the Holy Spirit. "When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide
you into all truth" (John 16:13).

The Lord does not inform us of His will merely for our curiosity. Knowing God's will is to
lead to living God's will: "that you may have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing
Him." Our Lord desires that we walk in a manner appropriate for identifying with Him and
His great gospel of grace. "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ"
(Philippians 1:27). He wants us to be interested in what pleases Him, not what pleases
self or the world: "proving what is acceptable [well-pleasing] to the Lord" (Ephesians
5:10). The Lord wants to work in us the heart seen in David's Messianic confession. "I
delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart" (Psalm 40:8). Bringing
the will of God into the heart of man is what the new covenant of grace accomplishes. "I
will make a new covenant. I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts.
Who also made us sufficient as ministers [servants] of the new covenant" (Jeremiah 31:31,
33 and 2 Corinthians 3:6). Living in prayerful dependence upon the grace of God will make
us true "servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart" (Ephesians 6:6).

"Dear Lord, I want to be fully controlled by Your will, pleasing You in every way. From
Your word, grant me Holy Spirit insight into Your will. Teach me to pray in this Spirit
-led manner, that Your grace might lead me to do Your will from deep within my heart."