July 13, 2018
Colossians 4:2-4 The Message (MSG)
Paul teaches the spiritual family at the Church of Colosse, as well as believers everywhere, to pray with spiritual diligence. Pray with gratitude. Pray for open doors to share the gospel. Pray for effectiveness. Pray. Why? It is God’s will that we pray; it’s a responsibility and a privilege. Because when we pray we are revealing our confidence and dependence upon God as the exalted Ruler of our lives.
Paul offers these instructions to help the spiritual family further understand their divine connection to God and to one another. Prayers are words that open spiritual doors in order to receive wise guidance and answers; we offer up our desires to God. The enemy tempts us to become weary in praying especially when circumstances do not change. Or, perhaps you have prayed in hope believing for a situation to go in a specific direction and it did not. Even then our response should be to continue to thank God for the privilege of bringing our requests to him knowing he will answer them as He sees is best. God sees things from a higher perspective and we are invited to connect with him in it through prayer.
Colossians 4:2-4 Pray for Open Doors
2-4 Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don’t forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I’m locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth I’ll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.
Prayer: Lord, today in this prayer I declare my absolute dependence upon you for all things. Thank you for your unfailing goodness in my life. Thank you for every door you have opened for me to share your gospel of love; please continue to bring more opportunities. And, when the door opens, cause me to reveal Jesus and witness to the things of your heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.