Colossians 4:2-4

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.  At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

 

Prayer is an important part of the teaching of Scripture and was modeled by both Jesus and the Apostle Paul. This passage includes instruction on how to pray as well as what Paul’s specific prayer requests were.  There are important lessons for us to learn as we seek to follow these instructions about prayer.

  

PRAY INTENSIVELY: There are basically three instructions in this passage about how we should pray.  First, we should be consistent in prayer.  Paul says that we should continue and be steadfast in prayer.  In order to continue something, it must first be a habit in our lives.  Certainly, the greatest enemy to prayer is our lack of prayer.  Often this lack of prayer is based on a mis understanding of prayer.  Since we know theologically that God is all-knowing and all-powerful, we question why we should pray.  It is important to remember that we don’t pray to inform or empower God.  We pray because He is omniscient and omnipotent, and we are not.  We don’t pray for His benefit; we pray because we need His help.  Second, we should concentrate when we pray.  Paul calls it being watchful.  The second greatest enemy to prayer is that we allow our minds to wander or even fall asleep when we pray.  We have and audience with the Creator and Sustainer or the universe and ought not to sleep in His presence.  The third instruction is to be considerate in prayer as we remember to thank Him for the many blessings He has given us.  Too often our prayers are focused on the things we want as opposed to the gifts He has already given.

 

PRAY INTENTIONALY: Paul now turns to his prayer requests.  Again, there are three.  First, he prayers for open doors.  It is significant that Paul is in prison and praying that the Lord would open Gospel doors and not prison doors.  We know that while Paul was in prison at Rome, he was able to share Christ with the elite soldiers of the Roman army who were in charge of guarding him.  Onesimus is another example of someone Paul reached while in prison.  We need to pray regularly for ourselves, one another, and our leaders that the Lord would give us all open doors or opportunities to share the Gospel.  Second, Paul prays for open hearts and minds.  He calls the Gospel a mystery and asks for prayer that he would have the ability to make the Gospel clear.  Often missionaries are sharing the Gospel in a culture that has not concept of faith, forgiveness, or grace.  To complicate matters even more, they are usually speaking a second or even a third language.  We need to pray that the Lord would open the understanding of those who hear the Gospel and give us the ability to speak the Gospel accurately and in a way that is immediately understood.  Paul’s third prayer request if for an open mouth.  He asks that he would be able to preach the Gospel as he “ought to speak.”  Paul was in prison for preaching and has suffered greatly for spreading the Gospel.  I am sure there were times when he lacked the courage to boldly proclaim the message of Christ.  We have all experienced the fear of men and how they will respond if we seek to evangelize them.  We need to lift one another up in prayer that we would have the courage to open our mouths and proclaim the Gospel.

 

APPLICATION: Set aside a regular time to pray.  Pray regularly and spontaneously throughout the day.  Do whatever it takes to concentrate in prayer, like praying out loud, writing prayers, or going on a prayer walk.  Always remember to be thankful in prayer.  Pray for ourselves and one another that we would have opportunities to share Christ.  Pray for the ability to make the Gospel clear and for the Spirit to work in the hearts and minds of the people we evangelize.  Pray for courage to take full advantage of every opportunity.