A simple prayer

“Dear God, grant me patience, and give it fast”

Patience has never been one of my virtues… I can always relate myself to that little girl who kneels down with folded hands, asking Lord to give her the fruit of patience, but requesting Him to make it fast… Basically, I like things to happen fast; so wherever I can, I always choose the easy ways. And perhaps that’s the ONLY reason why I decided to start with Colossians during my bible reading time. One of the smallest books in the Bible, and I can finish off fast in 2 or 3 days…easy and fast!!!!! But for Him, that was not at all the reason when He allowed me to go ahead with my wicked plan. He had His plans for me… He knew that whichever book I chose, He could ensure that every verse will hold deeper meanings for me…He knew every word of His (from whichever chapter it may be) could touch my heart and give me that joy which comes ONLY from Him. Above all, He knew He could show me the one of the best prayers I can ever give or receive… “Keep me in your prayers”….or “Please pray for me/my situation” etc are few familiar statements we often exchange with our family and friends…Prayer support is one of the most beautiful and powerful forms of encouragement we can give to anyone. Covering our loved ones with a small, little prayer ensures the love of God over them and the peace of God in us. But, how should a good prayer be? Apart from praying about various situations we face or for protection….how else can we pray? A prayer that will empower us to be partakers in the kingdom of the Lord… Paul shows us in Colossians Chap. 1 about how such a prayer should be...a simple yet perfect prayer. Colossians 1:9-15 “ since then…we have not ceased praying for you, and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding; so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, as you bear fruit in every good work, and as you grow in the knowledge of God; May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from His glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light: He has rescued us from the power of darkness, and has transferred us into the kingdom of his dear Son, in whom we have redemption (through his blood), even the forgiveness of sins: A very beautiful prayer!!! Paul uses prayers of similar nature in Ephesians 1:16-19 and Philippians 1:4-11. If we see the components of the above prayer, we understand that it’s a prayer which is well-flowing and well-connected… each successive portion answers the previous open-end. 1) Praying without ceasing: - Paul mentions the importance of praying constantly in 1Thessalonians 5:17 - “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus”. To me it means always being in touch with the Lord (need not be praying 24 hrs, but always remaining in touch)… Or in other words, praying without fail in every season and in every situation (with JOY and HOPE in our hearts)…intense and persistent prayer in FAITH and in THANKSGIVING even when things don’t go our way… Coming back to Colossians 1:9 – to pray without ceasing, but why? What is the focus of Paul’s prayer? 2) The knowledge of God’s will: - To know God’s will before every step, every path, and every choice… God never disappoints those who seek His will nor fails those who trust in His plans (Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future). Sheer obedience of His will is what is expected out of you and me. But how do we know/receive God’s will? 3) In all spiritual wisdom and understanding: - Not in human wisdom and human understanding, but bowing down to the wisdom and understanding only Holy Spirit can provide… 1 Corinthians 12:3 stresses on the importance of spiritual enlightenment – “no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit”.. Also in John 14:26, Jesus promises us the powerful anointing Holy Spirit can bring – “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you”. 4) So that we may lead lives worthy of Lord, and fully pleasing to Him: - always obeying Him, His commandments; and walking in His ways…which will result in… 5) Being fruitful in every good work - as pleasing to Him, and growing in the knowledge of God - which is the ultimate blessing we can have; The prayer doesn’t end there… it continues…… 6) To be made strong with His strength, from His mighty power… In all his difficult times, David found his strength in the Lord, his God (Psalm 18:31-32 - “For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect”). 1 Chronicles 16:11 says – “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always”. 7) To endure everything with patience… without cribbing, but looking ahead with faith, being confident about His assurances… James 5:7 – “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains”. To rejoice in all our difficulties, with patience, perseverance, and character, and hope… 8) And above all... thanking God with real joy in our hearts…for making us partakers in His inheritance, for delivering us from the powers of darkness…and lifting us and keeping us in the kingdom of his beloved son…. Heavenly father, in every little prayer I say, in every move I make….give me the grace to constantly seek and obey Your will in my life, so that I lead a life worthy of You. All I pray is Lord, amidst life’s hues and plans, let me not lose the focus of my final goal, which is to be in the kingdom of your beloved Son, and to be in His arms of love...In Jesus name, amen.

My loving Savior, oh precious Jesus 

My heart is glad that You’ve called me Your own 

There’s no place I’d rather be 

Than In Your arms of love 

- Excerpts from the Hymn: Arms of Love

P.S: And I still haven’t finished Colossians chapter 1… so much for easy ways!!! But all I know is next time I say a little prayer, I will continue to ask for patience, this time with perseverance, character and hope!!