“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” (Colossians 4:2-5)
As Paul moves to close this short epistle, he calls exhorts the believers at Colosse: “be a praying people”. We must be strong in prayer, always being watchful and thankful.
Devote Yourselves to Prayer:
Devote is“proskartereo.” This word has a root meaning, “to be strong.” It always implies earnest adherence to a person or things. It implies persistence and fervor. “To be steadfastly attentive unto”, . . . “to give unremitting care to a thing.”
Devote yourselves to what? PRAYER! What is the basis for such a challenge from Paul? “And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” (Matt. 21:13)
“Being watchful“ suggests constant spiritual alertness. So Christians are watchful and active in prayer, alive in the fullest sense. Be watchful in doctrine. Be watchful in morals. Be watchful in attitude. Always make yourself aware of events needing prayer, both near and far. Don’t become careless or mechanical, dull and lethargic in your devotion to the Lord, and His world!
“Be thankful“ refers to the spirit in which prayers are offered. Maintain your zest for prayer by thanksgiving. Do not allow your prayers to become impoverished by endless asking for things. Selfish prayer becomes impoverished. Don’t forget thankfulness. We hold our love and excitement for prayer by being thankful!
Pray for God’s Work and Workers Everywhere: Paul is in chains, under house arrest in Rome awaiting his audience with Caesar. He does not ask that these believers pray for his release. He requests that they pray for God to open doors to proclaim the Gospel! Paul was exactly where God wanted him at that time—in chains! While there Paul wrote the books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon! Also, the praetorian guard (palace guard) knew that Paul was in chains for Christ. We are to pray for God’s people everywhere: for missionaries, pastors, teachers, churches (even in the midst of hardships on the field). We also have the duty to pray for family members who are lost. They are in chains to Satan’s blinding influence. They need our prayers for release.
— “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Cor. 4:3-4)
We are to make the most of every opportunity set before us in prayer and in witness.
How are we to pray? —“Wrestling in Prayer“ “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” (Col. 4:12)
“Labouring fervently”, or fighting, striving, wrestling, translates “agonizomai” which means “to struggle”, literally “to compete for a prize”, —figuratively “to contend with an adversary”, or genitive case “to endeavor to accomplish something”.
Do you, or your church, “wrestle in prayer” for people you know? For people struggling with life’s realities? For lost persons by name? For God’s faithful workers in your church family? For our missionaries? For our nation?
Pastors, leaders, we must direct our people to the greater things of God through prayer! Our world needs the prayers of you, and your people! “Watch and pray!”
