hanks unto the Father."--COL.
i. 9-12.

The Epistles of the (first) captivity of the Apostle (Philippians,
Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon) represent his maturest experiences. As a
consequence the prayers found in them are particularly noteworthy,
revealing some of the deepest things of the writer's spiritual life. In
this respect they are at once tests and models for us; and it is perhaps
not too much to say that careful and prolonged prayerful meditation on
the prayers found in these Epistles will prove one of the most valuable
and helpful methods of deepening the spiritual life. The first of these we
now consider.

1. THE REASON OF THE PRAYER.

Colosse was one of the Churches which Paul had neither founded nor visited
(ch. ii. 1). Christianity was brought there by Epaphras, one of his
disciples (ch. i. 7). But the Apostle was as keenly interested in its
spiritual welfare as if he had been instrumental in founding it. So when
he had heard of their faith and love (ch. i. 4), and the fruitfulness of
their life (ch. i. 6), he thanked God on their behalf (ch. i. 3), and
prayed this prayer. Deep interest in the spiritual life of others was one
of the prominent marks of the Christian character of St. Paul. His was no
self-centred life, for he was ever keenly alert to appreciate the marks of
grace in others. This is a test, and at the same time a rebuke, for us.
How unlike we are to a Christian of the type of Barnabas, of whom we
read: "Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad" (Acts
xi. 23). This is only possible by having "a heart at leisure from itself";
and when we are thus deeply interested in the marks and manifestations of
the Divine working in other people's lives we shall not only praise God on
their behalf, but also, like the Apostle, pray for them; and thus the
blessing will extend and deepen.

2. THE NATURE OF THE PRAYER.

The main point of his prayer was that they might be "_filled with the
knowledge of His will_." The will of God known and done is the secret of
all true living. It was the key-note of our Lord's earthly life. He came
to do the will of the Father, and in one of the deepest experiences of His
life He said: "Not My will, but Thine be done." He told His disciples that
His meat was to do the will of Him that sent Him; and He taught them to
pray, "Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven." The will of God is
the substance of revelation, for what is the Bible from b