" For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." Col. 1:9-11.
This introduction presents to us a fine summary of all that one can ask of God for christians. If we had sufficient confidence in the interest which God takes in His children, we should have greater boldness in asking God, according to the intentions of His grace. We do not live enough by this grace, and that is why our prayers are so constantly stamped with the sense of want. We are often the Abraham of Gen. 15, who asks for himself, saying to God, " What wilt Thou give me? " But Paul skews himself here the Abraham of Gen. 18, sitting before God, worshipping Him, and making requests for others.