Praying for the Open Door
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 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, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
This passage from Colossians outlines so clearly our personal involvement in evangelism and missions. Paul speaks as a missionary himself, and instructs the Colossians to engage themselves in earnest prayer for missions, but also to be actively involved in the important task of spreading the Gospel. This text is naturally split into two parts: verses 2-4 about each person’s involvement through prayer, and verses 5-6 depicting our direct involvement in evangelism through wise conduct and seasoned speech.
Paul says in verse 2, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word”. He asks the Colossians to pray for them so that God may open a door for them, and more importantly for the Word. This tells us that prayer is incredibly important for missions.
We know that it is God who opens and shuts doors in our life. We depend on His guidance and strength to open opportunities for us. Paul says here that we must pray for Him to do this. Jesus said to His disciples while He was on earth, “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13-14). God is willing to help those who ask, and is willing to give them anything, as long as Christ is glorified.
The Heidelberg Catechism goes so far as to say, “God will give His grace and the Holy Spirit only to those who constantly and with heartfelt longing ask Him for these gifts and thank Him for them” (LD 45). God will only give us His grace if we pray to Him about it. So prayer about the spreading of the gospel is important. How then do we pray?
Colossians 4:2 makes that clear. Firstly we must pray earnestly. We must be sincere about what we pray about, and it must be done without ceasing. “Continue earnestly in prayer.” You need to be constantly in touch with God—every minute of every day.
Secondly prayer must be vigilant. We must be watchful for the attacks that will come. Satan hates this never-ceasing connection between us and God, and he will do anything to sabotage it. Paul warns us about this, and tells us to watch out for it.
Finally Paul tells us to be thankful in our prayer. The catechism mentioned thankfulness in prayer too. Amidst all the requests for help, we must remember to acknowledge God as the author of all the open doors and successes we face. We must also thank Him with a view that He is ultimately winning. We are the ambassadors for a victorious King and we spread His Word with His power and protection.
So let’s pray earnestly, continually, watchfully and with thanks. Pray for those who dedicate their lives to converting unsaved souls. They depend on your prayers. Pray for open doors. Pray for those obstacles to be blown away by the power of God and the power of prayer. Pray for the mystery of Christ to be made manifest.
Pray.
Part 2: Wise Walking and Salty Speech
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
This passage from Colossians outlines so clearly our personal involvement in evangelism and missions. Paul speaks as a missionary himself, and instructs the Colossians to engage themselves in earnest prayer for missions, but also to be actively involved in the important task of spreading the Gospel. This text is naturally split into two parts: verses 2-4 about each person’s involvement through prayer, and verses 5-6 depicting our direct involvement in evangelism through wise conduct and seasoned speech.
Paul says in verse 2, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word”. He asks the Colossians to pray for them so that God may open a door for them, and more importantly for the Word. This tells us that prayer is incredibly important for missions.
We know that it is God who opens and shuts doors in our life. We depend on His guidance and strength to open opportunities for us. Paul says here that we must pray for Him to do this. Jesus said to His disciples while He was on earth, “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13-14). God is willing to help those who ask, and is willing to give them anything, as long as Christ is glorified.
The Heidelberg Catechism goes so far as to say, “God will give His grace and the Holy Spirit only to those who constantly and with heartfelt longing ask Him for these gifts and thank Him for them” (LD 45). God will only give us His grace if we pray to Him about it. So prayer about the spreading of the gospel is important. How then do we pray?
Colossians 4:2 makes that clear. Firstly we must pray earnestly. We must be sincere about what we pray about, and it must be done without ceasing. “Continue earnestly in prayer.” You need to be constantly in touch with God—every minute of every day.
Secondly prayer must be vigilant. We must be watchful for the attacks that will come. Satan hates this never-ceasing connection between us and God, and he will do anything to sabotage it. Paul warns us about this, and tells us to watch out for it.
Finally Paul tells us to be thankful in our prayer. The catechism mentioned thankfulness in prayer too. Amidst all the requests for help, we must remember to acknowledge God as the author of all the open doors and successes we face. We must also thank Him with a view that He is ultimately winning. We are the ambassadors for a victorious King and we spread His Word with His power and protection.
So let’s pray earnestly, continually, watchfully and with thanks. Pray for those who dedicate their lives to converting unsaved souls. They depend on your prayers. Pray for open doors. Pray for those obstacles to be blown away by the power of God and the power of prayer. Pray for the mystery of Christ to be made manifest.
Pray.
Part 2: Wise Walking and Salty Speech
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