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Something to Think About

HOW TO PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILY
Colossians 1:1-14

Today, the family under an attack of terrorism: a proliferation of immorality and relativity that is eroding Christian values. It is a media tsunami that is brainwashing our kids and undermining moral absolutes. We are witnessing a re-definition of marriage, approval of gay rights, and a low view of the sanctity of life. There is a breakdown of the family in divorce, abuse, and fatherlessness, and relaxed regulations on pornography. It all causes many to say that we have lost the cultural war. But should we give up? I say, "No!" You and your family can win with God, and win together as part of a community of believers.

Join me for a moment at the Battle of Dunkirk in World War II. In May 1940, Adolph Hitler's army had already invaded and conquered Poland, Norway, Denmark, Holland, Luxembourg, and Belgium. The Allied forces were routed, and retreated to the English Channel. Over 500,000 British and French troops found themselves trapped in a tiny coastal enclave known as Dunkirk (Dune Church), with the German army only 15 miles away and German airplanes already bombing Dunkirk. They were certainly going to be killed or imprisoned in a matter of days.

In that seemingly impossible situation, churches in Britain called for a day of prayer to be held on Sunday, May 25. On the evening of the national day of prayer, an order was issued for boats of all sizes and shapes to cross the English Channel and rescue as many men as possible. Navy ships couldn't get close to the beaches to rescue the men, so only small boats could go. It was very dangerous waters for small boats, as the German bombs could sink them. But they chose to go for it. In all, 336,000 men were saved by the little boats.

The temptation for the Christian who wants to defend life, marriage, and morals is to look at all the powers seeking to thwart the Judeo-Christian foundation of our nation and think, "This is too much. I can't stop the enemy's advances." And then he gives up. What if the people crossing the English Channel in their boats had given up? Thousands of boats courageously going back and forth made a huge impact; but it was up to each individual captain of the boat to decide if he  would make a difference. Thousands of godly people and Christian families who are living life God's way will make a huge difference to stem the tide and turn things toward God.

Do not give up! Fight for the innocence of your kids. Fight for the protection of your family. And to do so you will need God. 2 Cor. 10:3-5--For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Prayer is our most powerful weapon. It moves the hand of God and unleashes His power.

4 WAYS TO PRAY

1. PASSIONATELY: SENSE OF URGENCY, A SPIRIT OF DESPERATION.
Col 1:1,2--Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.

There is nothing more important than your family. Whether you are a young adult, a grandpa, a couple, a single parent, or a two parent family with kids, you need to fight for your family on your knees. Maybe there is a lot of pain, strained relationships, hurt, or regrets, but don't give up. Forgive. Start fresh. Keep hope alive. Trust in the mighty power of God. Whatever the case may be, whatever the make up and condition of your marriage, during this series I want you to pray like a wild prayer warrior for your family and marriage. Every day.

This small church in Colosse was Paul's spiritual family. He had never been there, but he sent his disciple, Epaphras, to found this church. Colosse used to be a major city in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) along with Laodicea and Hierapolis--all located along the Lycus River--but for some reason, by Paul's day Colosse had shrunk back.

This small house church was not large, and maybe would not have been significant in some people's eyes, but to Paul it was his family. And nothing was more important than family. They were under attack. There was heresy and false teaching bombarding his family, and he was not about to sit idly by. So he wrote this letter from prison to battle false thinking and dangerous doctrine.

Your family is under attack whether you know it or not. You need to fight like Paul. Do not minimize what the media and culture is trying to do. I believe homosexuality is wrong because the Bible says so. I believe gay marriage is wrong because the Bible says so. I believe abortion is wrong because the Bible says that God knew me when I was in my mother's womb (Ps. 139). I believe infidelity, pornography and all forms of sexual sin--sex outside of marriage--is wrong because God says so. Deut. 22:22--If a man is found sleeping with another's man's wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.

Today, there is acceptance and even mockery of sin. Compromise erodes moral conviction. Conviction defeats moral compromise. People such as Marilyn Manson blaspheme, mock, and scoff at the Bible. They say that God is dead, that God is self, or that they don't want to believe in a God who doesn't believe in them. Our society is messed up. We're in a war: a battle for the minds and affections of our families. What are you going to do about it?

Paul tells us, "Do not be deceived." Don't be taken in by secularism, humanism, or moral relativity. Think right! Col. 2:4--I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. Instead, devote yourself to prayer. Pray right! Col.4:2--Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Have family devotions, read the Bible, and pray together. Don't let anything else come between you and this critical need. As Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in Him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). John 15:7--If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

2. POINTEDLY: SPECIFIC CHARACTER OUTCOMES.
Col. 1:3-8--We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints-the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

Paul's hopes and dreams and prayers--as their spiritual father--were being realized in the people of Colosse. He had prayed that they would be conformed into the image of Jesus, portraying and embodying the character of Christ, and they were getting it. Getting what? Faith, hope, love. And those are Paul's core values, found in I Cor. 13:13: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

We need to pray that spiritual formation occurs in our kids, our parents, our spouse, our future spouse, and our entire family. Pray for yourself. Pray with the end in view. Pray, "God, I want my kids to be like Jesus one day. May they be confidently full of faith--knowing that they know that they know Jesus is real; hope--over the top excited about heaven and eternal life with Jesus; and love--having relationships that are successful, rewarding, meaningful, and pleasing to God."

Are you praying like crazy for your kids? Start now...don't wait...life goes too fast. When I started in ministry I was single, and here is how fast time goes:

A Touch of Love
You were six months old and full of fun.
With a blink of my eye, you were suddenly one.
There were so many things we were going to do,
But I turned my head and you turned two.
At two you were very dependent on me,
But independence took over when you turned three.
Your third birthday, another year I tried to ignore,
But when I lit the candles, there weren't three but four.
Four was the year that you really strived.
Why, look at you now, you're already five.
Now you are ready for books and for rules.
This is the year that you go to school.
The big day came, you were anxious to go.
We walked to the bus, going oh, so slow.
As you climbed aboard and waved goodbye,
I felt a lump in my throat and tears stung my eyes.
Time goes so fast, it's hard to believe
That just yesterday you were home here with me.
And tomorrow when the bus brings you home
And you jump on the ground,
You'll be wearing your graduation gown.
So I'm holding to these moments as hard as I can,
Because the next time I look, I'll see a man.

3. PERSISTENTLY: REGULAR, CONSISTENT, CONSTANT.
Col. 1:9--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.

Since the day Paul heard about the Colossians, he did not stop praying for them. We need to do the same for our families. Start now and never quit. Luke 18:1--Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

Have a persistent Prayer Plan as a wall of protection around your family. Pray for them in 7 prayer zones: Mentally (Phil. 4:8,9), Physically (healing, protection, health and strength), Spiritually (relationship with God), Emotionally (affirmed, appreciated, respected, and self-confident), Relationally (strong, right, biblical, future mates, and work situations), Sexually (pure, right decisions), and Financially (decisions).

Draw a line in the sand. Forgive others and yourself. The past is in the past; it is done, and you can't change it, undo it, or redo it. Look forward! The rest of your life can be the best of your life.

4. PURPOSEFULLY: FOLLOW THE LORD.
Col. 1:9--... asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Pray that they will discover and do God's will. Pray for the discernment of God's will and the power to perform that will. In other words, Paul is praying that they would be able to understand the great truths of Christianity, and be able to apply them to tasks and decisions in everyday living. Having a master's degree in theology and being a failure in life is worthless. Being able to write and talk about eternal truths but not applying them is futile.

What is the key to family life? Knowing the will of God and doing it. The key to marriage is found in 1 Corinthians 13. The key to relationships is found in Ephesians 4. The key to family finances is found in understanding the biblical principles around debt, tithing, and saving. The key to parenting is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. The key to fidelity, morality, and spirituality is found in I Thessalonians 4. The key to getting along with your parents is found in Exodus 20 and Colossians 3:20.

Pray for your wife, your husband, your kids, your grandkids, your fiancé, and everyone in your family. Pray it. Know it. Do it. Pray that they will please the Lord in "every way." I Cor. 10:31--so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Sadly, mediocrity is acceptable today. Compromise is compatible. What you do in moderation, your kids will do in excess. It's a lifestyle decision. When we pray for our family, we must pray that their highest aim is to glorify God with their life, and that they seek to do it with excellence. Pray that they will receive God's power and strength. Col 1:11,12--...being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

We all need God's strength and power. Pray for your spouse, kids, and whole family. Often, the great problem in life is not knowing what to do, but doing it. Endure and don't give up. Trust God. Life is real. Today, the family is under siege. There is stress and turmoil. Develop patience with people. The word hupomone means "endurance strength no situation can defeat," and makrothumia means "patience strength no person can defeat". Be joyful! Having an attitude of gratitude is a great way to live your life. Do it for your kids and family. Be positive because of your future in God, and thankful because of your forgiven past.

Life is full of problems. But there is no value for you or me, for your kids or my kids, to live down in the dumps. If God can raise Jesus from the dead, He can raise you and your family from the doldrums, depression, and discouragement and give you the power you need to live a positive and successful life. We don't have to be discouraged, defeated, despondent, hopeless, critical, negative, or complaining. Ask God to strengthen you with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance, patience, and joyful thanksgiving. 
 

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