The Power of Prayer

Colossians 4:2-4
² Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; ³ meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, ⁴ that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

God loves His children to pray to Him. He actually delights in being asked for things (Proverbs 15:8). He answers prayers before we pray them and hears us before we are even finished speaking (Isaiah 65:24). He encourages us to be like the watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem in Isaiah 62:6-7:

“I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;
They shall never hold their peace day or night.
You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent,
And give Him no rest till He establishes
And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.”

That’s encouraging. That means that God, the giver of all things (Acts 17:25) likes to be asked for things. I find that it’s greatly beneficial to meditate on why this is so.

Be Fervent in Spirit

Romans 12:11:
“…Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”

Some zeal for God is better than no zeal for Him. If there is a spark of fervour for God it is better than no spark. But is just a spark enough? Should it grow to be a big fire of zeal or can it stay a small spark? Romans 12:11 addresses this.

Be Strong and of Good Courage!

1 Corinthians 16:13:
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”


What is Christian courage? An act takes courage if it is likely to be painful. Jesus promised that being a Christian and glorifying His name would be painful: “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake” (Matthew 24:9). Courage is necessary, then, for Christians. No matter what the earthly cost we must always be prepared to say and do the right thing. That’s Christian courage.

If courage is required for true teaching and evangelism where can we get this courage?

Exhort One Another Daily

Hebrews 3:12-14:

¹² Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; ¹³ but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ¹⁴ For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.

Every Christian today will face extreme hardship and persecution. It’s inevitable (John 15:18; 15:20; 2 Timothy 3:12). Being a Christian is hard. But in the end we will experience a reward that is worth far more than we experienced on this earth. If we persevere through the sufferings on this earth we will be rewarded. “He who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13).

Yes, this calls for endurance. Those who are born of God must endure to be saved. How can we do that? How has God commanded we endure to the end? What has He ordained so we continue persevering in the faith til the end?