This morning in reading Colossians 4, we come to the foundational subject of prayer.
Colossians 4:2-4 says,
"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".
Obviously this passage is about prayer but it is also about sharing the gospel. Paul talks about both subjects here:
1. Speaking to God on behalf of people
2. Speaking to people on behalf of God
First, prayer can be defined as "speaking to God on behalf of people". How much of this have you and I done lately?? We are constantly made aware of people and their needs. Every challenge in life is an opportunity to pray. We often pray for health issues and we should but we also need to be praying for God to "open a door for the word" in people's lives.
Then we can "speak to people on behalf of God". Notice the order. Someone once said it this way, "you can do more than pray, after you have prayed, but not until you have prayed". Let's be people of prayer first. Asking God to do what we cannot do! To take the blinders off of people who are still in darkness. To prepare their hearts for the receiving of the gospel. Only God can do these things - so we must pray! Then after we have prayed, let's speak to people for God. We must go and tell the good news. Be intentional about sharing the gospel with the people around us. Our family, our neighbors, our co-workers, and everywhere else God gives us opportunity.
Paul knew that He needed people praying for him so that "a door would be opened" to speak of Christ. He also knew he needed people to pray because he had the challenge of "declaring the mystery of Christ" in such a way that it would be "clear". I am still amazed by the fact that God allows us the privilege of taking what is a mystery and declaring it to others. It is a mystery to so many people around us: who Christ is and what He has done. So, please, pray for one another. As God puts you on my mind, I will be praying that God will open doors for you and that you will speak the mystery of Christ in a clear way. When God puts me on your mind, please pray along these lines as well.
In conclusion, Paul makes mention of Epaphras in verse 12 of Colossians 4. Here is what he says of him:
"Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Jesus Christ, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God".
He describes Epaphras as someone who is "always struggling on your behalf in his prayers". This is a true "Prayer Partner". Someone who is constantly lifting you up in their prayers. And he describes his praying as "struggling" or "wrestling". This is not a short, flowery prayer but instead this is something similar to what Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. Do you have anyone who is praying like that on your behalf?? Are you praying like this on behalf of someone??
As the church of Jesus Christ, let us pray one for another!!
Since we are on the subject of prayer - may I remind you that our next focused time of prayer as a church is Saturday, June 2nd at 8:00 am. May I encourage you to come and join our prayer partners and church leadership as we "speak to God on behalf of people".
