Colossians 1:11–20: May you be 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. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Heavenly Father, it is a joy to think that through the death and resurrection of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the ultimate reconciliation of all things is assured! All around us we see sin and sickness and death. But by His incarnation Christ identified Himself with us and indeed with the whole material creation. By His unblemished obedience, He satisfied Your laws demands on behalf of all whom You have given to Him. By His atoning death, He bore our punishment. By His resurrection, He triumphed over death and hell. And by His ascension into Heaven and His being seated at Your right hand, far above all authorities in Heaven and on Earth, He ensured His final victory.

So, Father, we come boldly before Your throne of grace asking You to pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your Church, the body and bride of Christ, to spread this good news, and that best news of all—that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He rose again from the dead on the third day and was seen by over five hundred eyewitnesses, and that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life—to every tribe and nation of the world.

And we ask You, too, Father, to give life to millions, even billions, by Your Word and Spirit, as Christ, once lifted up on the cross, is now lifted up by bold and passionate preaching of His gospel, draws people of every sort—men and women, boys and girls, of every ethnic background, old and young, strong and weak—to Himself. We pray these things in Jesus’ holy and majestic name, amen.