Colossians 4:2-6 The Message
Yesterday, we shared about how seeking God everyday through prayer was essential if we are going to be effective for Kingdom work while on earth. God has a plan for our lives and He shapes us according to that plan. If we do not prayerfully place ourselves completely in His care, we will be headed off in a wrong direction missing ways to expand the Kingdom. Today, our passage is from a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the early church in Colosse encouraging them to pray diligently. The word diligently is translated steady, earnestly, and energetically. Does the word diligently describe your prayer life?
The purpose of diligent prayer is to make Christ obvious; clearly seen and understood in our lives. What will make us effective is to pray for opportunities to reveal Christ in us to others through our loving words and actions. You can reveal the heart of Christ to your family, your neighbors, people at work or leisure, at the grocery, etc. It is not about location nor perfect Christian dialogue; it is about our willingness to follow the Holy Spirit and step through open doors. The Apostle Paul is in jail (in chains and behind locked doors) as he diligently prays to be effective in order to reveal Christ to others around him. What would happen in your life, if daily you prayed for the Lord to open a door of opportunity, so you could make Christ in your life plain as day to someone who has yet to meet him?
Colossians 4:2-6 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.
5-6 Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.
Prayer: Lord, my life is yours, so please work through me. Today, please open a door of opportunity so I can make Christ plain as day to someone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.