Paul gives the order for the Colossian believers to pray for him. He 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’ [v2-4].
First of all he wants them to continue steadfastly in prayer. In other words he wants to be in prayer on a regular basis. He doesn’t want them to pray once and then give up. Persistent prayers.
Secondly, he wants them to be watchful in prayer. The word ‘watchful’ could be translated ‘alert’. They need to watch that they do not neglect to pray and also to be alert as to how they pray and what they pray for. They should always be ready and eager to pray.
Thirdly, they are to be thankful in their prayers. I don’t need to dwell on this as we have so much to be thankful for. Primarily we should be thankful that God has chosen to save us and brought us into a living relationship with Him.
Fourthly, he asks them to pray for opportunities to preach the gospel, the mystery of Christ. Paul wants the gospel to be spread abroad because it is the means by which God draws sinners to himself.
Finally, Paul asks for prayer so that when the opportunities do come for him to share the gospel he would be able to do it simply. He wants people to understand the message and the implications for having Christ as their Lord and Saviour or for rejecting Him.
Let us take up this prayer of Paul’s and use it as a model for our own prayers.
Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1
