1. Prayer (for Beginners) Praying for others Prayer (for Beginners) Colossians 1 v 3-14 & 2 Thessalonians 1 v 3-12

2. Setting the scene Prayer (for Beginners) – Praying for Others Paul writing to Colossians from prison cell - He’s never met them. He’s worried about pagans infiltrating church He’s spent time with the Thessalonians – they are being persecuted.

3. It’s a good thing to pray for others Prayer (for Beginners) – Praying for Others Colossians v3 we always thank God… when we pray for you… V9 we have never stopped praying for you 2 Thessalonians 1 v3 We ought to pray for you… v11 we constantly pray for you. Monumental importance to Paul 2 nd commandment model Challenge

4. Celebrating what God is doing Prayer (for Beginners) – Praying for Others Affirming style Colossians v4 we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all the saints… V6 All over the world the Gospel is bearing fruit 2 Thessalonians 1 v3 your faith is growing more and more, and the love for one another is increasing. v4 Your perseverance and faith in persecution Reminds them of salvation – All over the world - Rough times Challenge

5. Praying for their spiritual well-being Prayer (for Beginners) – Praying for Others Paul leads up to this Colossians v9 for this reason we have not stopped praying 2 Thessalonians 1 v11 with this in mind we constantly pray Praying out of love Christians or not? Reason = Heresy in church What in mind? – Suffering & persecution

6. Praying for their spiritual well-being Prayer (for Beginners) – Praying for Others 9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, 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. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

7. Why does Paul pray this? Prayer (for Beginners) – Praying for Others 2 Thessalonians 1 v12 We pray this so that the name of the Lord Jesus might be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ Jesus in Glorfied Challenge