Each year at work we have to prepare and submit a School Improvement Plan (SIP). In this document we list academic growth goals for the students and measures that will be used to determine if that growth is occurring.
In chapter 1, verse 6, Paul wrote about "this gospel (that) is bearing fruit. . ." Is the Gospel bearing fruit in my life? If I answer "yes" to that question, what is the evidence of that fruit? If I answer "no" to that question, what personal Spiritual Improvement Plan do I need to design?
In countless movies and television shows, a young child will kneel by his or her bed at night and pray for mommy, daddy, grandpa, grandma, dog Toby, mean old Mr. Wilson, etc. I too grew up being taught to pray for those in my life, but after reading Colossians 1:9, I wonder if I have been mispraying all these years. I have spent time (although not nearly enough) praying for specific needs of others. While that is certainly not wrong, I have spent little time following Paul's example--". . .we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding."
Certainly temporary things such as a job, physical healing, protection on a trip are all things about which we can, and should pray, but a "knowledge of His will" should be a goal for each Christian and consequently an item of prayer for each of us- for ourselves and for those for whom we pray.
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