Please find below the notes from the Elder's Prayer this past Sunday.

The Apostle Paul was so very faithful in caring for and praying for those who the Lord put under his charge. He understood that their spiritual growth and condition were primary.

This morning, I would like to look briefly at a passage where Paul tells the brethren how he is praying for them and then would like you to join me as we do likewise for our own here.

Colossians 1:9-12

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard (about it), have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
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;
11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all perseverance and patience; joyously
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Lord, help us to be like Paul, to have an urgency in our prayer life, whenever we hear of the needs of our brothers and sisters, help us to be quick to prayer. Help us also so be especially attentive to the spiritual needs and condition of those in our body and be quick to prayer there as well.

Like Paul, we pray for knowledge, spiritual wisdom and understanding from you in our lives as we seek to know You and serve You better.

Please help us then, to live our lives in a manner that points others to You, represents you well and is pleasing to You.

In doing this, we pray that You would strengthen us in doing good and bearing good fruit for Your Kingdom.

Strengthen us by Your power and glorious might that we may patiently persevere in this world.

Finally, Lord, we joyfully thank you that through Your good pleasure You have ordained us to share in the inheritance of the Saints, which is eternity in heaven with You.

In Jesus' name we pray this.