Praying with the Bible: Colossians 3

Praying with the Bible roots us deeply in God’s word. This is the first topic—the first way to pray—I engage with in my forthcoming book, 7 Ways to Pray. Here’s an exercise of praying with the Bible through a text from Paul’s letter to the Colossians. It’s rich with meaning and one that Dallas Willard recommended that we memorize. I’ve started memorizing it and got about halfway through before I’ve stalled. Maybe that’s something I could pick up again!

Why not take some time to pray through this text, personalizing it and examining it this way and that. You might want to do this over several days. The text appears below in the NIV, and underneath it, I’ve added some of my own prayers based on it.

¹ Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.⁷ You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.¹¹ Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Lord, I come to you with thankfulness for how you’ve created me. I praise you for your faithfulness and love. Come now through your Holy Spirit and help me to pray. Thank you for your word, which gives me life and truth. Make it come alive to me, that I might know you better and share your love more faithfully.

Lord God, I ask that you’d help me to set my heart on you. Not, Lord, on earthly things. It’s so easy to look at the things of this earth and get bogged down in them. Or even to glory in them, for you have made them with such care and beauty. But you are there, Christ, seated at the right hand of God. You call me to think on heavenly things. To know that this earth is not all that there is. I’m so grateful that through your Spirit I’ve died to my old self, and my life is now hidden with Christ in God. And I know that when Christ comes, who is my life, then I’ll appear with him in glory. Alleluia!

Help me put to death whatever belongs to my earthly nature – sexual immorality, lust, greed. These actions are idolatry, and because of them, I know the wrath of God will come. I say with Paul that I used to walk in these ways in the life I once lived. But now I know that I must rid myself of all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from my lips. Lord, these are things that come easily to me, and I repent and say sorry for the ways I let my mouth take over. For the ways I rage and lose my temper. Forgive me please. I know too that I shouldn’t lie to anyone else, for I’ve taken off my old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which you renew in knowledge in the image of you, God, my creator. There’s no division between people for Christ is all, and is in all. No division! No divide based on class or race. No inner group or newbies. Christ is all and is in all. Christ is all!

I know therefore that as God’s chosen person, one who is holy and dearly loved, I put on the clothes of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. I put these on, Lord. I put on the cloak of compassion, which you will help to ooze out of me when I see someone in need or hurting. The hat of kindness, that I might notice others instead of being wrapped up in myself. The sweater of humility, that I might be willing to give of myself to others, seeing them as your daughters and sons. The trousers of patience – please, I pray, slow down my eager legs. The gloves of gentleness, to spread your loving touch.

Help me to forgive as you’ve forgiven me. And over all of these virtues, I clothe myself in your love. I shower in love. I wrap myself in love. You are love and you fill me with love. Bind me together with my fellow sisters and brothers in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in my heart, for you’ve called me to peace. I am thankful, Lord, for the amazing ways you’ve worked in my heart and mind.

Let your message, Christ, dwell among us richly today. Help me to teach and admonish others in your name, with wisdom, through gratitude and song. Help me to do whatever I do in your word and deed, all in the name of Jesus Christ, giving thanks to you.