Learning to Pray from the Apostles Prayers (Colossians 1:9-11) - How does understanding of Christ's revelation affect prayer?

As mentioned in my initial post for this series, I intend to blog through a number of New Testament texts where the Apostles are either praying or reflecting on their prayers. In noting how the Apostles prayed, it will help us to conform our prayers so that they are more biblical.

Today's text is Colossians 1:9-11:

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,

Prayer Focus:  Petition to God that He would fill us with a deep and abiding understanding of Christ's revelation so we may: please Him, increase in the knowledge of God, and grow in strength for endurance and patience with joy.    

We ask God to fill you represents the passive “asking that you be filled”; the active is used in order to make God explicit, as the one who does the filling. Other ways may be sought to express the idea of “fill”: compare TNT “you may be completely certain”; Brc “have complete insight”; NEB “you may receive from him … for full insight.”

Bratcher, R. G., & Nida, E. A. (1993). A handbook on Paul's letters to the Colossians and to Philemon. Helps for translators; UBS handbook series (15). New York: United Bible Societies.

Paul has given thanks that the Colossians have truly understood (epegnōte) God’s grace; now he correspondingly prays that they may be filled with the knowledge (epignōsin) of his will. What Paul has in mind is not some particular or special direction for one’s life (as we often use the phrase “God’s will”), but a deep and abiding understanding of the revelation of Christ and all that he means for the universe (vv. 15–20) and for the Colossians (vv. 21–23).52

Moo, D. J. (2008). The letters to the Colossians and to Philemon. The Pillar New Testament commentary (93). Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.

Paul adds, in accordance with his glorious might. “In accordance with” is stronger than “of” or “by.” When the multimillionaire gives “of” his wealth to some good cause he may be giving very little; but when he donates “in accordance with” his riches, the amount will be substantial. The Holy Spirit gives not only “of” but “in accordance with.”

Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-2001). Vol. 6: New Testament commentary : Exposition of Colossians and Philemon. New Testament Commentary (58–59). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

Verse 11 describes the extent and purpose of God’s empowerment of the believer. First, the strengthening comes with all power. The word “all” (Gk. pas) has a variety of nuances. Here it signifies a “marker of the highest degree”: “complete,” “unlimited” power.70 The word power is closely related to the word “strengthen” (dynamis and dynamoō, respectively): we might paraphrase “strengthened by God with the greatest strength imaginable.”

Moo, D. J. (2008). The letters to the Colossians and to Philemon. The Pillar New Testament commentary (97). Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.