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...
that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Colossians 4:2-4
This text gives five guidelines for prayer that we need to hear.
First, "continue steadfastly in prayer." There is so much power to be had in persevering prayer. Don't forget the "importunate friend" of Luke 11:8 (Because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs"), and don't forget the parable Jesus told to the effect that we "ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1-8). Perseverance is the great test of genuineness in the Christian life. I praise God for Christians who have persevered in prayer sixty, seventy, or eighty years! Oh, let us be a praying people, and let this year--and all our years--be saturated with prayers to the Lord of all power and all good. it will be good to say in the end, "I have finished the race, I have kept the faith"--through prayer.
Second, "Be watchful in your prayers." This means, be alert! Be mentally awake! Paul probably learned this from the story of what happened in Gethsemane. Jesus asked the disciples to pray, but found them sleeping. so He said to Peter, "Could you not watch on hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation" (mark 14:37-38). We must be on the watch as we pray--on the watch against wandering minds, against vain repetitions, against trite and meaningless expression, against limited, selfish desires. And we should also watch for what is good. We should especially be alert to God's guidance of our prayers in Scripture. It is god who works in us the will to pray, but we always experience this divine enabling as our own resolve and decision.
Third, be thankful in all your prayers. The stories of what God has done in so many lives through renewed prayer are amazing. They have often stirred me up to press on in prayer with thanksgiving. Keep sharing with others these good things.
Fourth, prayer that a door would be opened for the Word in your life. In two senses: 1) that there be open, receptive hearts in your church from week to week; and 2) that your neighbors will be open to the gospel as you share it. "The Lord opened (Lydia's) heart to give heed to what was said by Paul" (Acts 16:14). That is what we should want to happen on Sundays and during the week.
Fifth, pray for the preachers of our land that they may make the mystery of Christ clear, "Great...is the mystery of godliness" (1Timothy 3:16). And oh, what a calling to proclaim it! I love the preaching office! But it is above me. I, and every preaching pastor, need prayer---that we understand the mystery of Christ, that we choose needed texts, that we preach in the power of the Holy Spirit, that we speak the truth in love. Without Christ we can do nothing.
Merciful Father, thank You for being a prayer-hearing God.
Oh, that we would cherish this gift.
It is an overwhelming thought that the
Creator and sustainer of all things gives
heed to our prayers and meets our needs.
Make us persistent and watchful and
thankful and ready for every open door.
Fill our mouths with prayer to You and gospel to others.
Increase our faith in the truth that by prayer
we have an influence in the world all out of
proportion with how small we are.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Pierced by the Word (Thirty one meditations for your soul) by John Piper
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