Listen and Pray through Colossians 1:15-20
Click the button below to listen and pray through this passage. This practice will take about 8 minutes.
Prepare
Today, we are going to spend some time beholding Jesus. So take a few moments to release any distractions and set your intentions on Christ and his glory.
Slow your breathing and relax your mind. Take a few deep breaths as you invite the Holy Spirit into this moment. As you breathe deeply, repeat this prayer to yourself:
“Jesus, open my heart to see You clearly. Let Your Word shape my thoughts and draw me closer to You.”
Read
Colossians 1:15-20
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation
16 for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
18 Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead,
So he is first in everything.
19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
Listen & Reflect
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. If you want to know what God is like, simply look at Jesus. We were created in the image of God…yet because of sin and brokenness, we usually reflect a distorted image, like a funhouse mirror or a snap chat filter. Yet, Jesus is the perfect visible image of the invisible God.
Spend a few moments beholding Jesus. Allow your heart to be drawn to worship as you recall the character and nature of Jesus. As the Holy Spirit gives you a picture of Jesus, feel free to speak out loud those characteristics of Jesus that stirs in your heart. Bless Jesus today by declaring who His is to you today.
Verse 17 says, “He [Jesus] existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. If Jesus is the glue that holds everything together, guess what that means? You don’t have to. Hear it again. You are not the one who holds all things together. Have you felt that it’s your burden to keep all the plates spinning and keep all things under control? How’s that working out for you? Jesus hasn’t called you to be the one in control at all times. He’s got it. Spend a few minutes giving over some of these burdens and releasing control over to the ONE who actually holds all things together.
Verse 18: He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.
Jesus is supreme. Or as the message paraphrase says, “From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. “ Jesus takes first place. Has this been true in your life or have you allowed someone or something else to take that spot? If you’ve inadvertently given Christ’s supreme place away, spend a few moments, putting him back on the throne of your life.
Pray
Lord Jesus,
You are the image of the invisible God,
the One who reveals the Father’s heart to us.
You are before all things, and in You, all things hold together.
You are my Creator, my Sustainer, my Redeemer.
Help me to see You rightly, to trust in Your supremacy,
to surrender my worries into Your hands.
When life feels chaotic, remind me that You hold all things together.
When I’m tempted to be the glue of my own life, remind me that You hold all things together. When I’m exhausted from attempting to be all things to all people, remind me that YOU hold all things together.
Jesus, reign in every part of my heart.
Be first in my thoughts, my actions, my desires.
Let my life reflect Your glory, and let my heart rest in Your grace.
Amen