23rd-29th September 2024
During the summer, I had the pleasure of watching various sports during the Olympics and learning about the athletes' journeys to get there. One story that particularly stood out was that of Adam Peaty, an exceptional swimmer with numerous medals who struggled with depression and alcohol. He realized that his sense of self was tied to his swimming achievements. Through his challenges, he found faith in God and discovered a new sense of identity.
Reflecting on identity and where we derive it from, I’ve noticed that mine can sometimes be misplaced in a variety of areas, my work, my status, or even my children's accomplishments. Misplaced identity is a common issue, but as followers of Christ, our primary identity should be found in Him.
This week, we’ll be praying through Colossians 3:1-17. To understand it fully, we should first look at Colossians Chapters 1 and 2. Paul, imprisoned for proclaiming Jesus as Lord, sees his suffering not as a defeat but as a way to share in Christ's suffering. He writes to the Colossians, who are facing pressure to abandon their faith in Jesus. Despite these pressures, they remain faithful due to the hope of the new creation promised by Jesus. Paul prays for them to grow in spiritual wisdom, to live a life worthy of the Lord and to be strengthened by His power. He includes a poem highlighting Christ’s divinity, His role as the Firstborn and creator of all things.
Paul reminds the Colossians that they were once estranged from God but have been reconciled through Christ’s death, which has made them holy. Therefore, they must remain steadfast in their faith. He announces that Jesus is creating a new, multi-ethnic family and now dwells among His followers. Paul addresses the cultural pressures and false teachings the Colossians face, including philosophical arguments, Jewish legalism, mysticism and asceticism. He warns that yielding to these pressures would be a compromise. He emphasizes that Christ, being fully God in human form, has defeated spiritual powers through His death and resurrection. Jesus has fulfilled the law, which could not transform the heart and, instead, His resurrection power is what truly transforms us. Paul reminds them that they have died with Christ and it is this new reality that should shape their thoughts and lives.
Guest Contributor - Martin Spence
MONDAY
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2
Heavenly Father, we are raised with Christ; let this truth be central to all that we do today. Forgive us for the times when we focus too much on earthly concerns and fail to set our hearts and minds on things above.
Thank You for Christ’s victory over death and His purification for our sins. We are grateful that His work is complete, that He now sits at Your right hand and that He intercedes for us. Thank You for the new life that comes from being united with Christ.
Today, help us choose to set our minds on You. May we dwell on Your unending and unchanging love, the forgiveness of sins, the power of Your Holy Spirit within us and our adoption into Your family.
We ask that You enable us to focus on what is true, honourable, just, pure, loving and admirable. In Jesus' name, Amen.
TUESDAY
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:3-4
Heavenly Father, once we were dead, but now, as Your followers, we are alive in Christ. Our identity is hidden in Him and we will one day appear with You in glory. Help us to live with our identity hidden in Christ and grant us understanding of what that truly means.
As we grapple with the question of "Who am I?" other doubts can arise, including whether we are significant. May Your Word remind us that our identity is secure in Christ.
Thank You for the profound truth that Christ dwells within us. He willingly gave His life and has taken ours into His. We are grateful that this was not something we earned but a gift from Him, empowering us to do all things through Him who strengthens us.
Jesus, forgive us when we forget that all things were created by You and for You. Forgive us for our lack of gratitude for the gifts we receive from You.
As we consider the conclusion of life, we trust that You have the final word. Thank You for securing our victory and the certainty that we will appear with You in glory.
Today may we find the strength to stay focused and reflect Christ in our daily lives.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
WEDNESDAY
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. Colossians 3:5-7
Heavenly Father, we are new creations, hidden in Christ and called to house the fullness of God. Sin has no power over us; we are temples of the living God.
We acknowledge the power of our desires that lead us away from You. Forgive us when we fail to address the sin that corrupts us. Forgive us for our impure thoughts — those that are not true, honourable, just, pure, loving, or admirable. Forgive us for being swayed by thoughts or behaviours related to sexual immorality and for lustful desires concerning sex, power, wealth, or status, which turn good things into idols. Forgive us for the greed that leads us to worship anything other than You. Forgive us when we forget the impact of our words.
Thank You for giving us Your Spirit to dwell within us. We ask that our lives be marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. May Your Spirit cultivate these fruits in our lives. We are grateful for Your grace and the ongoing transformation You are working in our minds to conform us to the image of Christ.
We ask for a deeper hunger and desire for You, and the strength to overcome and release any sinful behaviours or thoughts. Help us avoid temptation and its allure so that we may not sin against You or others. Teach us to enjoy the good things of this world in their proper place and to display our love for You through obedience.
Give us grace to live lives worthy of our calling. In Jesus' name, Amen.
THURSDAY
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Colossians 3:8-11
Heavenly Father, You instruct us not to lie to one another, as deceit is part of our old self. Now, as people in whom Christ dwells, we are called to a higher standard.
The church, as the body of Christ, is distinct from the world. We do not divide ourselves based on race, religion, class, education, or politics. Instead, we share a profound bond in Christ, who is all and is in all. In Christ, we are united despite our diversity.
We acknowledge the power of our tongues and their potential for harm through anger and rage. Forgive us for the times we have lacked control over our tongues and hurtful words have been spoken or we have lied to each other. Forgive us for letting our differences lead us to fear and division.
Grant us Your perspective and enable us to walk in unity with Your followers. Help us to see each person as Your image-bearer, embracing the unity that comes from being one in Christ.
Help us to rid ourselves of anger, rage, malice, slander and abusive language. Grant us the ability to see others as You see them — people made in Your image. May our words bring light and life to those around us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
FRIDAY
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14
Heavenly Father, we are Your chosen people, holy and dearly loved. We are no longer slaves but Your children in whom Your Spirit dwells.
Forgive us for the times when we fail to embody compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Forgive us when we do not bear with one another or forgive, but instead hold grudges. Forgive us for allowing disunity to arise when we act without love.
Thank You that through Christ’s death and resurrection, we have been forgiven and restored to harmony with You. Thank You for choosing us, setting us apart as sacred and special, a gift we did not earn but receive with gratitude.
In a world that tells us to earn love, we are grateful for Your unconditional love. Help us to recognize opportunities to show our love for Jesus when we encounter problems or challenges with others. May we understand bearing each other's burdens as a reflection of Your love and a way to live like You.
Guide us to live in the assurance of Your love and to trust in Your unfailing presence.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
SATURDAY
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 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. Colossians 3:15-16
Heavenly Father, once we were dead in our sins, but through Christ, You have made us alive. You have forgiven our debts and nailed them to the cross, where You disarmed the powers and authorities.
Thank You for the Holy Spirit who dwells within us and unites us in Your love. Forgive us for the times we act selfishly and damage relationships, undermining the unity You have created.
We are grateful for Your living Word, which reveals truth, convicts us of our wrongs, corrects us and guides us in righteousness. Forgive us for the times we neglect to spend time in Your Word and for how easily we become distracted from You. Ignite in us a deep and unwavering desire to seek You with our whole hearts. Please open our hearts to hear Your voice and let Your Word dwell within us.
Thank You for those who faithfully teach us from Your Word. Grant them courage to continue their vital work and challenge us to grow in our faith. May we reflect on Your teachings and respond with obedience and gratitude.
Thank You for the gift of music and the joy of singing. May we use this gift to offer You praise with grateful hearts in all circumstances. In Jesus' name, Amen.
SUNDAY
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. Colossians 3:17
Heavenly Father, we are made in Your image and, as Your followers, we have the honour of bearing Your name. You desire for us to have renewed minds and transformed characters. Forgive us when we are swayed by every new idea and teaching that comes our way.
Thank You for this new day and the endless mercy You provide. Guide our words so that they are kind, truthful and uplifting. Help us to speak with grace and in a way that honours You, encouraging those around us. May our interactions today bring You glory.
We are grateful and privileged to be Your ambassadors. Empower us to act with Your authority and strength. As Your disciples, let Your light shine through us, bringing hope into challenging and dark situations.
May our lives overflow with gratitude, displaying contentment and humility rather than grumbling or arguing. In Jesus' name, Amen.