Introduction: How is your prayer life? Are you satisfied
with it, or do you think it could use some improvement? One
of my co-workers is an advocate of “contemplative prayer.”
He puts a sign on the door to his office saying that he
should not be disturbed because he is praying. Sitting
quietly is very difficult for me, and sitting quietly for
prayer isn’t any easier. I seem best connected to God when
studying the Bible while writing these lessons or listening
to a sermon. Our study this week is primarily focused on
Paul’s prayers for the Philippians and the Colossians. Let’s
dive into our study of these prayers to see what we can
learn to advance our personal prayer life!
I. Prayer for the Philippians
A. Read Philippians 1:3. In last week’s lesson what
did we learn was the difference between the church
in Philippi and the church in Colossae? (Paul
founded the church in Philippi and he knew the
members. That is why his prayer starts out with
thankfulness for his memories about those members.)
B. Read Philippians 1:4-5. What about Paul’s prayer
brings joy to his mind? (Paul finds joy in thinking
about what the members in Philippi are doing to
advance the gospel.)
1. When you pray, do you pray only over problems?
Do you ever pray in joy for the good things
others are doing?
C. Read Philippians 1:6. Is the “good work” in the
lives of the Philippians finished? (No. It needs to
be completed.)
1. Who will complete that good work in the lives
of the church members? (It is the same One who
“began” the good work. This must refer to the
Holy Spirit.)
2. When will this work be completed? (“At the day
of Jesus Christ.” This means the Second
Coming of Jesus.)
3. Consider the implications of this. Are only
perfect and complete people selected for
heaven? (No. The work is completed when Jesus
comes again. Those who are arguing that we
must advance to reach perfection in this life
must deal with this text.)
D. Read Philippians 1:7-8. Paul writes that it is
“right” for him to have these feelings about the
Philippians because they share with him in God’s
grace. Do you feel a bond with other Christians who
live through challenges by the grace of God?
1. Or are their challenges proof that they are
not walking with God? (A person likely has
challenges if they are not walking with God,
but so do those who are walking with God. Paul
is an example of a saint who faces
challenges.)
E. Read Philippians 1:9-11. Recall that I just
suggested that those arguing we must become perfect
and complete Christians in this life have some
explaining to do with regard to verse 6? Paul
writes that the Philippians should be “pure and
blameless for the day of Christ.” Do I now have
some explaining to do?
1. Would you like to try to reconcile verse 6 and
verse 10? (If you look at verses 9-11 as a
whole, they reveal that the Christian should
in general be improving in love, knowledge,
and discernment. This should result in a
righteous life that brings glory and praise to
God.)
2. Do you pray for others that they will improve
in their walk with God?
3. When I consider contemplative prayer, I think
of sitting quietly so that the right thoughts
enter my mind. As you think about Paul’s
description of his prayer for the Philippians,
does it fit my understanding of contemplative
prayer? (No. Paul is focused on specific
issues connected with the members of the
church in Philippi.)
II. Prayer for the Colossians
A. Read Colossians 1:3-5. If you were reading this
letter from Paul, how would it make you feel? (I
think people love to have others pray for them. But
Paul is saying even more, he writes that he thanks
God for them.)
1. I’m sure many people have heard someone say,
“Thank God for you.” But have you ever heard
someone say that in their prayers they thank
God for you?
B. Read Colossians 1:6-8. We discussed last week that
Paul did not know the members at Colossae. On what
basis is Paul saying good things about them? (The
key figure is Epaphras. He brought the gospel to
the Colossians and then reported to Paul about
their faith and love.)
1. How does Paul know Epaphras? (Read about their
relationship in Philemon 1:23. They were both
in jail together.)
C. Read Colossians 1:9-10. Does this seem like praise
for the Colossians? (This sounds more like
instruction. My wife tells a story about two little
girls in her class who were praying. The first
prayed that the second would have an improved
character, and the second then prayed that the
first would mind her own business.)
1. Have you ever heard an “instructional” prayer?
Do you think this is what Paul is doing?
D. Read Colossians 1:11. When I think about “endurance
and patience,” the thought of “joy” does not come
to mind. What is Paul asking for in this prayer?
(It takes the power of God to experience joy in the
face of having your patience tried.)
1. A motorhome towing a car was stopped at a gas
pump, waiting to pull forward to refuel. A car
pulled in front of him and then backed up,
blocking the motorhome from reaching the pump.
The motorhome could not back up because of the
tow car. Instead of moving, the driver went
inside the station to buy something. When he
returned, he fueled up and then sat for a
while longer, still blocking the motorhome. If
you were driving the motorhome, would you be
filled with joy?
E. Let’s switch back to Philippians to further explore
the idea of patience and joy. In Philippians 1 Paul
writes about what is going on in ministry in his
absence. Read Philippians 1:14-17. While Paul is a
prisoner, other Christian preachers are trying to
“afflict” Paul in his imprisonment. Would this be
frustrating to you?
1. Would you feel like the motorhome driver who
could not back up and was simply stuck waiting
for the obnoxious car driver?
2. Does Paul sound like he is feeling joy when he
calls other preachers selfish, insincere, and
mean-spirited?
F. Read Philippians 1:18. Paul tells us that he is
rejoicing in this! He has joy. How does Paul
explain his joy? (He looks at the positive side of
things. Even the selfish, insincere, and mean-
spirited preachers are sharing the gospel.)
1. What is the lesson for us to allow us to
maintain our joy?
2. If you, like me, are sharing the gospel, have
you ever asked yourself what motivates you?
G. Back to Colossians. Read Colossians 1:12-14. What
does our Father God do for us? (He transfers us “to
the kingdom of His beloved Son.”)
1. What do you think it means to be transferred
to the kingdom of Jesus? (It means we are
redeemed and forgiven of our sins.)
2. As I thought about the motorhome driver and
what I would have considered doing had I been
in his place, it struck me that by being
patient the motorhome driver had much greater
joy than if he had confronted the driver of
the car. Is this an example of what you think
Paul means when he refers to joy in connection
with patience and endurance?
3. A popular entertainer in the United States,
Dick Van Dyke, just celebrated his 100th
birthday. He is still active and apparently
healthy. He reported that one secret to his
longevity is avoiding anger. Is that a backdoor to joy?
H. Friend, do these prayers of Paul help you with your
prayer life? Will you make a greater effort to pray
for the spiritual welfare of others?
III. Next week: Life and Death.
Copr. 2026, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. Scripture quotations are
from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard
Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing
ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All
rights reserved. Suggested answers are found within
parentheses. If you normally receive this lesson by e-mail,
but it is lost one week, you can find it by clicking on this
link: http://www.GoBible.org. Pray for the guidance of the
Holy Spirit as you study.
