From Lukewarm to Life-Changing Faith, Part 2

As believers, one of our greatest responsibilities is to grow in our faith and to help young Christians do the same. Without a solid foundation in God’s Word, we risk falling into spiritual complacency—developing a lukewarm faith that lacks passion and conviction. Thankfully, the Apostle Paul provides us with a powerful prayer model to guard against this. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul intercedes for young believers, asking God to strengthen them in four key areas: knowing His will, walking worthy of Him, becoming warriors of faith, and offering true worship.

If we want to recognize false teaching, we must first become deeply familiar with the truth. Paul warns in Colossians 2:8-10 that deception often comes disguised as wisdom, blending human philosophy, religious rituals, and mystical experiences with the gospel. False teachers had infiltrated the Colossian church, convincing believers that Christ alone was not enough. Paul writes this letter to correct them, emphasizing:

• The Preeminence and Sufficiency of Christ
• Our Identity and Authority in Christ
• Our Security and Destiny with Christ

Before diving into doctrine, Paul first turns to prayer, recognizing that knowledge alone is insufficient. Without God’s strength and wisdom, believers can struggle to live out His truth in a meaningful way. His prayer is not just a formality—it’s a crucial safeguard against lukewarm faith. As we explore Paul’s powerful intercession, we’ll uncover how this model prayer serves as a spiritual defense and why we should be praying these same words over young believers today.

Paul starts by praying that these young believers would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will. This is significant because deception begins when people don’t truly know what God desires. In verse 9, Paul acknowledges their faith, love, and fruitfulness but recognizes that the enemy is actively working to distort their understanding. His prayer is their defense.

Why Is Knowing God’s Will So Important?

Knowing God's will is essential because it serves as our first line of defense against Satan’s first line of attack—deception. If we don’t know what God wants, how can we obey Him? Jesus emphasized the importance of aligning ourselves with God’s purpose when He taught His disciples to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10). Moreover, understanding God’s will sustains us in difficult times. Even Jesus, in His darkest hour, surrendered to the Father’s will (Luke 22:42).

How Do We Discover God’s Will?

Paul connects knowledge of God’s will with spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9-10). This means it isn’t discovered through feelings, circumstances, or opinions—it is revealed through studying God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15-17) and prayer and seeking revelation (Ephesians 1:17-18). The more we pursue God through Scripture and prayer, the clearer His will becomes. If we don’t want young believers to drift into lukewarm faith, we must pray for them to be deeply rooted in God's will.

Knowing God’s will is not enough—we must live it out. Paul’s next prayer is that they would walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him.

What Does It Mean to Walk Worthy?

Our daily conduct should reflect Christ’s example. To “walk” refers to our behavior, choices, and lifestyle, while “worthy” means to have weight or balance—our walk should measure up to Christ’s standards. Paul urges believers not just to know about Christ but to imitate Him (Ephesians 5:1-2, 1 Peter 1:16). This means fully pleasing Him in every area of life, bearing fruit through godly actions and character, and growing in knowledge of God’s truth.

How Do We Walk Worthy?

We cultivate a worthy walk by passionately pursuing intimacy with God. Just as a child grows by consuming nourishing food, believers grow by feeding on God's Word (1 Peter 2:2, Psalm 63:1). Our lives should reflect our relationship with God through our decisions, priorities, and conduct. If we want to protect young believers from spiritual stagnation, we must pray that their faith goes beyond knowledge and transforms the way they live.

The Christian life is not just about belief—it’s about battle. Paul prays for young believers to be strengthened with all power so they can stand firm against opposition.

Why Do We Need Spiritual Strength?

Spiritual strength is necessary to endure persecution and hardship. The Colossian church faced external pressure and internal deception, and without strength, they could easily be led astray. Believers are also called to advance God’s Kingdom, pushing back darkness and proclaiming the gospel (Ephesians 6:10-13, Matthew 28:19-20).

Where Does Spiritual Strength Come From?

True strength comes from God’s power, not our own (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). It is cultivated through prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit and by standing firm in truth and faith (Ephesians 6:10-18). Paul describes spiritual strength as including patience, endurance, and joy—not just surviving trials, but thriving in them. This kind of strength turns passive endurance into active overcoming (James 1:2-4, Luke 21:19). If young believers are going to withstand the pressures of culture, false doctrine, and spiritual attack, they need more than head knowledge. They need spiritual power—and we must pray for them to receive it.

Paul concludes his prayer by encouraging believers to give thanks. Worship is not just an act—it’s a lifestyle of gratitude and recognition of who God is.

Why Is Worship Essential?

Worship keeps our focus on God’s goodness (1 Thessalonians 5:18). It reminds us of our identity in Christ—we have been rescued, redeemed, and released from sin’s power. Worship also shifts our perspective, allowing us to rejoice in God’s faithfulness even in difficult seasons.

How Do We Live a Life of Worship?

We cultivate a worshipful life by continually giving thanks (Colossians 3:17), remembering what Christ has done for us, and living in a way that honors God. Paul knew that if believers lost their gratitude, their passion for God would fade. Worship is the fuel that keeps faith alive. We must pray that young believers remain joyful in Christ, even in difficult seasons.

Paul’s model prayer teaches us how to guard against lukewarm faith. We should be praying these four things over ourselves and others:

1. To Know the Will of God – Through Scripture and prayer.
2. To Walk Worthy of God – Living out His truth daily.
3. To Become Warriors of God – Standing strong in faith.
4. To Render Worship to God – Living in gratitude and devotion.

1. Are you praying intentionally for young believers?
2. Do you live in a way that others can imitate?
3. What steps can you take to grow deeper in your faith?

This week, take time to pray this model prayer over someone in your life. Let’s stand together, ensuring the next generation of believers remains passionate, strong, and unwavering in their faith.

Memory Verse:
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; (Colossians 1:9-10)

For more on this topic, listen to our sermon Ice Cold, Red Hot, or Lukewarm, Part 2: