2025 July Prayer Corps
NOTHING IS HIDDEN BUT US!
This is the final installment of the four-part study in Colossians which reveals the great things available to believers who follow Christ sincerely and are found in Him (Col 2:6 to 3:4).
We studied the first three principles in prior editions of Prayer Corps, which are:
1. We are rooted and built up in Him (Col 2:6,7 – see April 2025).
2. We are complete in Him (Col 2:8-10 – see May 2025).
3. We are alive in Him (Col 2:11-15 – see June 2025).
In this edition of Prayer Corps, we will study the fourth key principle:
4. We are hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:1-4).
This final truth sums up this important letter to the fledgling Colossian church. The three previous principles moved us from salvation (rooted and built up), to the certainty of our completion in Christ (complete in Him), to the amazing fact that we are eternally and powerfully alive in Christ!
Then, the Holy Spirit reveals that we are hidden in Christ, and goes on to give us practical exhortation about how to live this out in both the church and the world.
We studied the first three principles in prior editions of Prayer Corps, which are:
1. We are rooted and built up in Him (Col 2:6,7 – see April 2025).
2. We are complete in Him (Col 2:8-10 – see May 2025).
3. We are alive in Him (Col 2:11-15 – see June 2025).
In this edition of Prayer Corps, we will study the fourth key principle:
4. We are hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:1-4).
This final truth sums up this important letter to the fledgling Colossian church. The three previous principles moved us from salvation (rooted and built up), to the certainty of our completion in Christ (complete in Him), to the amazing fact that we are eternally and powerfully alive in Christ!
Then, the Holy Spirit reveals that we are hidden in Christ, and goes on to give us practical exhortation about how to live this out in both the church and the world.
Resurrection Life
The premise of this final principle is two-fold. First, we have died to the old order of our ambitions, values, politics and judgments of this world. We still live in the world, but in Christ we are no longer subject to, or part of, this world (Col 2:20).
Second, because we have been raised with Christ, we are called to participate in the power of His resurrection life. This means that though we must live in this world, we are to die to our own selfish ways (Gal 2:20). We now have Christ’s power to use the things in this world in a new and living way: instead of lording over others, we serve; instead of taking, we give; instead of living for ourselves, we live for Christ and His purposes to be fulfilled through us.
Thus, our lives, interests and efforts are to be centered fully in Christ. Our minds are to be set first upon seeking God’s Kingdom and His will, and how we can demonstrate the Kingdom in and through our lives. If we judge anything in this world, we do so in the heavenly light of the Cross and the empty tomb.
Second, because we have been raised with Christ, we are called to participate in the power of His resurrection life. This means that though we must live in this world, we are to die to our own selfish ways (Gal 2:20). We now have Christ’s power to use the things in this world in a new and living way: instead of lording over others, we serve; instead of taking, we give; instead of living for ourselves, we live for Christ and His purposes to be fulfilled through us.
Thus, our lives, interests and efforts are to be centered fully in Christ. Our minds are to be set first upon seeking God’s Kingdom and His will, and how we can demonstrate the Kingdom in and through our lives. If we judge anything in this world, we do so in the heavenly light of the Cross and the empty tomb.
Hidden But Not Hiding
To be hidden in Christ does not mean we are to run away and hide from the world around us. This mindset is based on fear, and not aligned with the call to be “salt and light” to those around us (Mt 5:13-15).
It does mean that because we are hidden in Christ, we do not need to fear the enemy of our souls, for he and his strategies were defeated at the Cross (Col 2:14,15). The blood and authority of Christ covers us, and His grace and strength will carry us through. And even when the temptations, trials and tragedies of this life come, they will be used by our Lord to form in us His victorious and overcoming character (Rom 8:28,29; Jas 1:2-5,12).
When we fully surrender our life to Jesus Christ, we are completely secure in Him! We are promised that, “no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:27-30).
This promise is then sealed with a guarantee – the Holy Spirit of God, given to us as a pledge of our full and complete salvation (Eph 1:13,14). Hallelujah!
It does mean that because we are hidden in Christ, we do not need to fear the enemy of our souls, for he and his strategies were defeated at the Cross (Col 2:14,15). The blood and authority of Christ covers us, and His grace and strength will carry us through. And even when the temptations, trials and tragedies of this life come, they will be used by our Lord to form in us His victorious and overcoming character (Rom 8:28,29; Jas 1:2-5,12).
When we fully surrender our life to Jesus Christ, we are completely secure in Him! We are promised that, “no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:27-30).
This promise is then sealed with a guarantee – the Holy Spirit of God, given to us as a pledge of our full and complete salvation (Eph 1:13,14). Hallelujah!
Hidden In Authority and Power
Since we have died to the things of this world and are secure in Christ, our lives are now “hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:3). But where is Christ ‘hidden’?
The Holy Spirit reveals that Christ is seated at the right hand of God above every rule, authority, power, dominion and every name in heaven and earth (Eph 1:20,21). But it does not stop there. We who are Christ’s are, “raised up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:6).
Because of what God has done through Christ, we are seated with Him in a position of authority and power. Thus, each and every one of us is called to be:
The Holy Spirit reveals that Christ is seated at the right hand of God above every rule, authority, power, dominion and every name in heaven and earth (Eph 1:20,21). But it does not stop there. We who are Christ’s are, “raised up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:6).
Because of what God has done through Christ, we are seated with Him in a position of authority and power. Thus, each and every one of us is called to be:
- Built up into a royal priesthood, a kingdom of priests, serving and worshipping forever our King, and leading others to do the same (1Pet 2:5; Rev 1:6).
- Authorized and empowered with all that we need as ambassadors for Christ to bring the message of our King wherever the soles of our feet may go (2Cor 5:18-20; Acts 1:8).
Hidden Only To Be Revealed
The Holy Spirit then sums it all up: “When Christ Who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Col 3:4).
For the Christian, the most important thing in life is Jesus Christ. More to the point, He is life itself. No other relationship, philosophy or achievement compares to our Lord and the life we have in Him. Our life is not only with Christ, but it is Christ! (Phil 1:20, 21; Gal 2:20)
We also have the blessed hope that Christ will appear a second time. When He comes again in great glory, He will call His sons and daughters to, “appear with Him in glory.” In this life, we may be hidden from the notoriety of this world. But when our Lord and King comes, we who have loved His appearing will be transformed by His glory, and will rule and reign with Him through all eternity! (See 2Tim 2:12; Phil 3:20,21; 1John 3:2)
So let our prayers be bold, and our praises ring out and declare the wonders of His love, mercy and goodness!
For the Christian, the most important thing in life is Jesus Christ. More to the point, He is life itself. No other relationship, philosophy or achievement compares to our Lord and the life we have in Him. Our life is not only with Christ, but it is Christ! (Phil 1:20, 21; Gal 2:20)
We also have the blessed hope that Christ will appear a second time. When He comes again in great glory, He will call His sons and daughters to, “appear with Him in glory.” In this life, we may be hidden from the notoriety of this world. But when our Lord and King comes, we who have loved His appearing will be transformed by His glory, and will rule and reign with Him through all eternity! (See 2Tim 2:12; Phil 3:20,21; 1John 3:2)
So let our prayers be bold, and our praises ring out and declare the wonders of His love, mercy and goodness!
Prayer This Month
1. PEACE
Sometimes, the most obvious prayer needs are the most vital. And prayers for peace in our world – that are sustained, fervent, and persistent – are clearly needed in this hour. The battles of good vs. evil are raging, while the spirits of anarchy, lawlessness and violence manifest.
Prayers for God’s peace in our strife-torn world have an ultimate purpose. Certainly, peace and the moral order that comes with it and sustains it are worthy goals. But as Christ followers, the peace given by our Prince of Peace (Jn 16:33) serves an eternal purpose – to spread the Gospel in a more effective and swift manner, that all may hear of the true and lasting source of peace, Jesus Christ.
Prayers for God’s peace in our strife-torn world have an ultimate purpose. Certainly, peace and the moral order that comes with it and sustains it are worthy goals. But as Christ followers, the peace given by our Prince of Peace (Jn 16:33) serves an eternal purpose – to spread the Gospel in a more effective and swift manner, that all may hear of the true and lasting source of peace, Jesus Christ.
Please pray for:
- The peace of God to be poured out on the nations, and upon individuals.
- The demon spirits of lawlessness and anarchy loosed in our world to be bound and silenced.
- God to raise up bold prophets, pastors and evangelists to declare God’s Word, God’s righteous order, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our cities and the nations.
- Ungodly and rebellious leaders to be converted to Christ, or made completely ineffective and replaced by those who will obey and follow Jesus.
- Christ followers everywhere to rise up and pray, interceding fervently for the nations and the spread of the Gospel.
2. WORLD MAP
a. Tens of thousands of Shepherd’s Staff books in multiple languages are still in production (printing, binding, shipping). These will be going to pastors with the greatest need in the places with the least available. So thank you for praying for the swift completion and safe transport of these vital ministry training resources.
b. In August, World MAP will be gathering Spanish-speaking pastors in Florida who have influence in many nations. They tell us that the Spanish church leadership around the world has little biblical training, and are vulnerable to error and imbalance. So this seminar will be beneficial for them to train and equip those they serve around the world to advance fulfilling the Great Commission. Thank you for praying now for the preparation of the seminar details, provision for every need, and for the hearts of the pastors and leaders to be prepared for all that God desires to do.
b. In August, World MAP will be gathering Spanish-speaking pastors in Florida who have influence in many nations. They tell us that the Spanish church leadership around the world has little biblical training, and are vulnerable to error and imbalance. So this seminar will be beneficial for them to train and equip those they serve around the world to advance fulfilling the Great Commission. Thank you for praying now for the preparation of the seminar details, provision for every need, and for the hearts of the pastors and leaders to be prepared for all that God desires to do.
Conclusion
What a glorious salvation! We can live this life in Him, and enjoy all of the great things provided to all who sincerely follow Jesus Christ. And our eternal destiny with Him will be even more glorious!
So let us pray earnestly, serve diligently, and lift our voices boldly to share His glorious Gospel – so that when He comes for us, we will bring many more with us to greet Him in glory.
So let us pray earnestly, serve diligently, and lift our voices boldly to share His glorious Gospel – so that when He comes for us, we will bring many more with us to greet Him in glory.
Living in Him with you,
Dr. Frank and Wendy Parrish, World MAP Executive Directors
Dr. Frank and Wendy Parrish, World MAP Executive Directors