Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
1. Life is too short to pray too little. Paul says "continue."
Prayer is not made so that God can find out what we need … God wants us to pray because prayer expresses our trust in God and is a means whereby our trust in him can increase. – Wayne Grudem
Prayer is the opportunity to talk to the God of the universe.
Perhaps there are some things you thought were important about prayer, that aren't so important. Maybe there are some things about prayer that you have missed--because you've missed what Jesus had to say about prayer.
Luke 11:1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."
This one little verse--which introduces the Lord's Prayer--is packed with great truth. One thing, we learn that Jesus had chosen the right men for the job as disciples. Why? Because they wanted to be men of prayer. Furthermore, we discover that John the Baptist taught his men how to pray. It was understood that this was an important part of the life of a disciple.
2. In prayer, distractions are destructive. Our practice in prayer must be "steadfast."
Jesus prayed for others. Jesus prayed with others. Jesus prayed alone. Jesus prayed in remote places. Jesus prayed in religious spaces. Jesus prayed routinely. Jesus prayed without getting discouraged. Jesus prayed from the heart.
A church is never more like the New Testament church than when it is praying.
Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
Romans 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you.
3. Expect an answer when you pray and don't quit until you get one. Be "watchful."
Prayer is not conquering God’s reluctance, but taking hold of God’s willingness. – Phillip Brooks
Luke 18:1-7 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'" 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?
Does God answer prayer? God answered the prayers of Israel to release them from the bondage of captivity in Egypt. When their prayers were finally answered, they did not expect it. The answer was so unpredicted and counterintuitive; the people were full of shock. When the people prayed for deliverance from Caesar, God sent His son Jesus as the Messiah, yet they rejected Him.
Prayer is God’s appointed means for appropriating the blessings that are ours in Christ Jesus. – D.A. Carson
When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Thy will be done," He taught us the most importance principle of prayer: Be ready for the answer!
The most important question: Am I ready for the answer to my prayers?
4. Pray that God will provide opportunities for the Gospel to change lives.
It is obvious that those who prayed sincerely in the Bible were the ones who were given the opportunities to see God's greatest works. Anna prayed most of her life at the Temple. She was one of the first to see Jesus. Lydia prayed at the riverside. God used her to bring the Gospel to Philippi.
The power of the Church truly to bless rests on intercession--asking and receiving heavenly gifts to carry to men. Power Through Prayer, E. M. Bounds
We are not to pray just because we know God answers prayer. We are to pray knowing that God gives us the opportunity as people of prayer to see Him at work!
Colossians 4:3-4 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-- 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
The nicest place to be is in someone's thoughts! The safest place to be is in someone's prayers! And the best place to be is in God's hands!
Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
Notice the word "toward." We don't walk away from the people around us and develop a parallel universe of "Christians only" activities.
Matthew 7:6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you."
Paul taught the Colossians the importance of engaging the culture.
Prayer is where the action is. – John Wesley
