To Walk in a Manner Worthy of the Lord

We are taking the month of January here in this newsletter to briefly look at a four-part prayer Paul records in Colossians 1:9-12. I hope that this prayer helps us set Godly goals and priorities in 2026 and that we learn to ask the Lord for the right things this year. The beauty of this prayer is that it gives us specific things to pray for but it’s broad enough to apply to each of our individual circumstances.

Here’s the full prayer: 

Colossians 1:9-12

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” 

Last week, we looked at Colossians 1:9 and learned how and why to pray for wisdom and understanding.

This week, we will move on to Part 2 and look at Colossians 1:10.

Part 2: To Walk in a Manner Worthy of the Lord (1:10)

“…so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…”

First, let’s make a couple of observations about verse 10:

1. The word “walk” is a metaphor for living. Paul is asking for wisdom and understanding (1:9) so we can live in a way that brings honor to the Lord and pleases Him (1:10).
   
2. The idea of bringing honor to the Lord can be hard for us to understand because we don’t live in a “shame culture” like in Paul’s day. It was very important for people in Paul’s day to live up to the expectations of their family, heritage, country, etc. Now, Paul gives Christians the same challenge, but not to manipulate or bully them into living a life worthy of the Lord. Paul realigns our thoughts from people pleasing to pleasing God. Since we confess Christ, Paul says our lives should be dedicated to pleasing Him. 

So, verse 9 and 10 work together. We pray for wisdom and understanding–for the Spirit to help us understand and apply Scripture–so we can walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and please Him. 

And Colossians 1:10 covers the first two ways to honor and please the Lord:

1. Bearing fruit in every good work

We cannot please God without good works–a life that looks like we belong to Christ (not because good works save us, but because they are the result of our faith -Eph 2:10). We can think of it the other way, too. When we pray and ask to be filled with the knowledge of God so we can live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him, our lives will be full of good works!

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:10; see also, Mark 4:1-9; 13-20 and John 15:4)

2. Increasing in the knowledge of God-

Christians who want to please the Lord are characterized by growth.

Growing in our knowledge of God pleases Him because it’s what we were made for. He has revealed Himself to be known, loved, and obeyed. So, we should learn more about Him so we can become more obedient to His will and ways, and as we become more obedient we desire to learn more about Him, and that leads to greater obedience, and so on. It’s a beautiful cycle!

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18) 

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)

Colossians 1:9-10 gives us some incredible goals! I encourage you to let these two verses occupy your thoughts and prayers this week and see what happens! 

Next week, we’ll consider two more ways to please God from Paul’s little prayer.