Download: Prayer by the Book 7 Notes
Session 7 – Colossians 1:9-12
1 John 5:14-15; Proverbs 15:29; Ephesians 6:18
For this reason, also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask
that you may be filled with the knowledge [epignosis] of His will in all spiritual wisdom [sophia] and understanding [sunesis],
↓ (so that) further intention
so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects,
bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might,
for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
The prayer is constructed with three sets of three:
1 Filled with a knowledge of His will; 2 All spiritual wisdom; 3 All spiritual understanding
1 Bearing fruit in every good work; 2 Increasing in the knowledge of God;
3 Strengthened with all power
1 All steadfastness; 2 Patience; 3 Joyously giving thanks
9) For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding
we have not ceased to pray – Paul’s faith and steadfastness to pray is a challenging example for us to emulate.
filled – The Greek word for filled is plēroō meaning to bring to full measure, being completely filled up, saturated with, permeated or influenced by something.
Colossians 1:25; 2:10; 4:17; Ephesians 3:19
knowledge is gained from the Scriptures and direct revelation. The Greek word epignosis refers to knowing in a personal and transformative way. It emphasizes not just intellectual knowledge but relational and practical knowledge that inspires a deep connection with God.
Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.
Philippians 1:9-10 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ
2 Peter 1:2-3 Grace, and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
Spiritual Wisdom is the correct application of knowledge. We gain wisdom when we seek it from God. Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Colossians 1:27-29; 2:1-3, 23; 3:14-16; 4:5; James 1:1-8
His will – based upon verse 3 this pronoun refers to God. When the phrase “His will” is used elsewhere it always refers to God; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 1:1; and 1 Thessalonians 4:3.
Understanding comes from the Greek word sunesis which means running together like tributaries into a river; thus refers to a mental grasp or comprehension. It means being thoroughly familiar with something and apprehending its character, nature, or subtleties.
2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
10) so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God
Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord means to live in a way that matches or reflects the value of the One you belong to. Conduct that is in balance with the calling, gift, or relationship you’ve received. It doesn’t mean “earning worth” before God — rather, it means living consistently with the worthiness of Christ.
Ephesians 4:1 – walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.
Philippians 1:27 – let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.1 Thessalonians 2:12 – walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
The word translated “worthy” from Greek is axiōs and emphasizes that believers should let their daily walk (lifestyle) line up with: Christ’s lordship, our new identity, and the fruitful, growing life that reflects God’s character.
Think of a scale: one side is the gospel / Christ’s lordship, the other is your life. To walk axiōs is to keep the balance — your actions, attitudes, and choices “weighing up” to what God has done for you in Christ.
To please Him in all respects. It means living in such a way that every part of life brings delight to the Lord (here: Jesus). Not just outward actions, but motives and heart. Not just certain religious duties, but every area of conduct. It implies comprehensive obedience and devotion — no divided loyalties.
2 Corinthians 5:9 – we make it our aim to please Him.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 – you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.
Romans 12:1 – presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, “holy and acceptable to God.”
Practical Sense in Colossians 1:10
To please Him in all respects:
Whole-life devotion – not compartmentalized faith, but Christ’s lordship touching every part of life.
Continuous aim – an ongoing lifestyle, not a one-time act.
Fruit-bearing obedience – as the rest of the verse says: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in knowledge of God.
11) strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously
Knowledge, wisdom and understanding prepare us to live in a manner appropriate for the Lord to please Him in all respects.
As we live to please the Lord we will 1) bear fruit in every good work, 2) increase in the knowledge of God, 3) strengthened with all power. All this happens according to God’s glorious might.
Strengthened (dunamai/dunamis) to be able, capability. Here it is a present passive participle continually empowered. We are being made capable by God. Not self-strengthening, but God pouring His enabling power into us.
Power (dunamis) power, ability, capability, strength. This is the same root as “strengthened.” It often carries the idea of inherent power (the potential or capacity that resides within). Contrast with kratos dunamis is about ability/enablement (capacity to act), while kratos is about forceful might in action (dominion strength).
Might Root: (kratos) – dominion, might, ruling strength. This word is often used of God’s overwhelming, ruling power that no one can resist. Emphasis: the force or ruling power of God’s glory. It’s not about ability in potential, but sheer manifested might.
Ephesians 1:19–20 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power [dunamis] toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength [kratos] of His might [His mighty strength] which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
Strengthened (δυναμούμενοι) – the soldier in the field actually being supplied and reinforced with that equipment and training day by day.
Power (δύναμις) – the equipment and training given to each soldier, their ability to act in combat
Might (κράτος) – the unstoppable force of the army itself: tanks, jets, missiles, sheer firepower.
The big idea: Paul’s prayer isn’t just “be strong.” It’s: May God’s unstoppable might flow into you as real power, strengthening you every moment for endurance, patience, and joy.
11) for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously
The ultimate purpose of this prayer is for us to remain faithful (steadfast and patient) until Christ comes back.
for the attaining of the Greek is εἰς Literally “unto” or “for the purpose/result of.”
steadfastness (hypomonē) Endurance, perseverance, the ability to remain under pressure without giving up. More about circumstances (hardship, trial, suffering).
patience (makrothymia) Longsuffering, restraint, self-control toward people — slowness to anger, not lashing out. More relational (how we deal with others).
12) joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
We pray for others because we have a concern for their well-being. This prayer is rich with blessings God wants for His children.
Colossians 1:13-14 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 4:12-13 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Colossians 4:2-4 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.
Eight concepts to include in prayers for others:
Filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding
Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord
Please Him in all respects
Bear fruit in every good work
Increase in the knowledge of God
Strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might
Attaining of all steadfastness and patience
Joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light
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