Inside: Plus, what to remember in an stressful election year and a five-star recipe for gracious living. All based on a timely word from scripture. ~

I didn’t plan it this way, but the first book of the Bible I read in 2024 held more wisdom and truth for the coming year than I could have possibly imagined.

I use a read-through-the-Bible-in-two-years plan that usually takes me about three years. This is why, when I finally got back to my morning devotional times several days into the new year, I was just beginning the Book of Colossians.

I hadn’t been reading long when I arrived at what is not only one of the longer single sentences in the Bible, but also the perfect petition for my loved ones this year. Here’s how the Apostle Paul prays for the spiritual growth of his dear friends:

“We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.” (Colossians 1:9-12, CSB)

Timely Prayer

That’s a mouthful of words, for sure. As a prayer, though, it’s highly relevant for both generations of my family—and probably for yours too.

My daughters are now 22 and 19. One will graduate from college in May. Both are poised on the brink of their adult lives.

Randy and I, on the other hand, are both 53. We’re on the cusp of the final third of our lives—a stretch that, despite inevitable decline, hopefully will also be productive and fulfilling.

Different Seasons, Similar Challenges

We’re in a different season than our girls, but we face some similar challenges, not the least of which is trying to live faithful lives in an ever-darkening world. So rather than focus solely on immediate needs and wants when I pray for us, I’m taking a cue from Paul’s colleague Epaphras, who is described as “always wrestling” for the Colossians in his prayers. (See Colossians 4:12)

In my own private wrestling sessions, I’m asking God to fill me and my loved ones with “the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” I’m praying that we will walk in ways that are fruitful and pleasing to God. That, strengthened by God’s power, we would have “great endurance and patience.” And so on.

Such prayers are not answered overnight, of course. But if there was ever a need and an opportunity for long-haul prayer for our loved ones, it’s now.

Antidote for Anxiety

That’s not all Colossians holds for us in 2024, however.

It’s easy to get discouraged or anxious when we think about the economy, the coming presidential election, escalating conflicts overseas and any number of other heavy issues. These are all significant concerns, but Colossians 1:15-17 reminds us that we humans are not actually running the world; Jesus is.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.” (CSB)

Maybe we should all copy these verses down and tape them to our refrigerators. God is in charge, friends. He will hold us fast, come what may.

Gracious Living

Finally, if we’re wondering how we should conduct ourselves in a year that promises to be contentious on many levels, Colossians lights the way in this regard too.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:12-15, CSB)

That sounds like a five-star recipe for grace-filled, faithful living, doesn’t it? Especially when accompanied by Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.”

We can’t control what anyone else does. But we can do our best to live like this ourselves—in person, online, and even on the interstate.

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.