WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Before you read, take a moment to quietly focus on our God and heavenly Father. Trinity prayer Here Paul again takes up the main theme of the letter. ‘For this reason’ (v 14) refers to the end of chapter 2, where he reminded young Christians about the difference God had made in their lives; and that difference drives him to kneel in prayer (v 14). Normally Jews would stand for prayer, but Paul is praying intently, humbling himself before God for these people he loves so much. His prayer encompasses the whole Trinity (vs 14,16,17). What is more, he prays for the Christians to be drawn into the life of the Trinity (v 19). Colossians 1:19 tells us that God was pleased to have his fullness dwell in Christ; so Paul is praying that what was true of Jesus might be true of his church as well. Being filled No wonder Paul cannot hold back his praises (vs 20,21)! It is beyond human understanding (v 19), yet through what God has done it is within the reach of each of us (v 18). This is all through faith (v 17). Being filled in this way isn’t about knowing all the facts about God or being able to answer every question, but rather about letting God change us deep in our heart, so that we recognise him as the source and fulfilment of our being. What an amazing God! Respond: Pray verses 16–21 for yourself and your church. http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-03-10