In our passage for today, Paul seeks to encourage the Colossians about their prayer life. In so doing, he shares with them the characteristics of the prayer life a Christian should devote himself to. This is the kind of praying that is sure to please God.
1. Perceptive praying - v. 2a “being watchful”
Paul tells us that as we pray, we need to be aware of the battle that is around us. Peter also councils us that we have an enemy who, though he is defeated, has not ceased hostilities.
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” - 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
A story is told about how during the days of the cold war, a Russian named Ivanovich visited the Moscow Zoo for the first time. He was given a tour by one of the leaders from the Kremlin. He was amazed to see a display that featured a bear and a lamb in the same age. The display was labeled “Peaceful Coexistence.” His guide explained that peaceful coexistence was one of the blessings that come from living in a communist society. “Of course,” he said, “We have to put a fresh lamb in the cage every morning.”
There is no such thing as peaceful coexistence with our enemy, the devil. So we need to be involved in perceptive praying. For . . .
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” - Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
2. Praise-filled Praying - v. 2b “being . . . Thankful”
Paul tells us that as we pray, we need to be aware of the God that is with us.
“Praise is the vital breath of the soul, without it, the Christian soon turns blue.” - Anonymous
“In our consumerist society, we focus on what we lack, or what other people have that we don’t, whereas gratitude is the feeling of appreciation for what we already have.” - Dr. Neel Burton in Psychology Today
As Christians, though we are in the world, we are not to be of the world, and one of the differences between us, as Christ followers and those who do not know Christ should be an “attitude of gratitude.”
If we are not careful, however, we can fall into the trap of the rest of the world, and as a result of “stinking thinking” end up living with a sour, faultfinding, “woe is me” attitude.
“As a cure for the sour, faultfinding attitude, I recommend the cultivation of the habit of thankfulness. Thanksgiving has great curative powers. A thankful heart cannot be cynical.” - A.W. Tozer
Not only does a conscious effort to give thanks to God for His presence with us as made known by the blessings of life keep us from growing cynical and sour, it also leads us to live victoriously as we are reminded of the God’s constant presence with us. He is the God who is with us.
God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart.” - Izaak Walton
So Paul encourages us to keep our eyes on the Lord and acknowledge His presence in our lives by consciously making thanksgiving a vital part of our prayer life. As we do, we are constantly reminded of what Paul tells us in Romans 8:31:
“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” - Romans 8:31 (NLT)
“Any challenge before you is not equal to the God who is with you.” - Anonymous
3. Purposeful Praying - vs. 3-4
Paul tells us that as we pray, we need to be aware of the task that is before us. We need to make prayer for the advance of the Gospel a part of our regular prayer routine.
A. Pray for open doors - v. 3
Do you realize that your unbelieving family members, co-workers, and neighbors will spend forever suffering in torment away from the presence of God if they don’t embrace Christ? That realization should drive you to your knees to plead, not only with them to believe the gospel, but with God to save their souls.
“Before Jesus gave up His spirit as He hung on the cross, He took time to pray for those who were murdering Him. He prayed, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing’ (Luke 23:34). God began to answer His prayer on the Day of Pentecost as some three thousand people repented and were baptized that day, and there have been countless multitudes that have been saved through the centuries. In response to Jesus’ intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12), God has snatched many souls from eternal death.”
- John MacArthur
Do you have a heart to pray for the lost like Jesus did? No one comes to Christ unless someone, somewhere, at some time is praying for them to be saved. So we must pray for open doors so folks might hear the Gospel and be saved. How can we pray for God to open doors? Well, in praying for the lost, pray that . . .
1. God draws them to Himself (John 6:44)
2. They seek to know God (Acts 17:27)
3. Their hearts be prepared for the Gospel (Mark 4:8)
4. Their heart would be enlightened (2 Cor. 4:3-4; Eph. 1:17-18)
5. They believe the Scriptures (1 Thess. 2:13; Rom. 10:17)
6. Satan not blind them to truth (Matt. 13:19; 2 Cor. 4:4)
7. The Holy Spirit works in them (John 16:8-13)
8. God arranges a divine appointment for them (Matt. 9:37-38)
9. They turn from sin (Acts 3:19)
10. They confess Christ as Lord (Rom. 10:9-10)
11. They come to true repentance (2 Peter 3:9; 2 Tim. 2:25-26)
12. They yield all to follow Christ (2 Cor. 5:15; Phil. 3:7-8)
B. Pray for open mouths - v. 4
Ralph Neighbor, in his classic work “The Survival Kit for New Christians,” explains that too many Christians go through various stages after they come to Christ, ending up at what he calls “The Silent Christian Stage.” He explains that “The Survival Kit for New Christians” was written to help walk new believers through a series of
studies in the effort from keeping them from reaching this final stage. About this stage, he says: “Do you know some Christians who never witness? Don’t worry if you have not met any. You will meet some Christians who never witness. Why not witness? 1. They feel that other Christians who know more and are more mature should be the people to witness. 2. They don’t want to talk about the Christian life when they are not living right. 3. They have a substitute for witnessing. That substitute is church activities that do not require any witnessing. These activities don’t require any spiritual power or maturity.
Many Christians are in this silent stage.
Christians who do not witness are not effective in sharing about Jesus Christ. They may be busy in church; but they are not helping anyone become a Christian. Their lives do not influence other people in a positive way for the Lord.
Sadly, this describes too many of us. It certainly did not describe the Apostle Paul, however. Why? Because he prayed for His mouth to be opened; and that he might become more and more effective when he opened his mouth to share the Gospel.
Conclusion: What kind of praying please God? The kind that . . .
Is offered being aware of the battle that is around us;
Is offered being aware of the God that is with us; and
Is offered being aware of the task that is before us.
If we are involved in the kind of praying that pleases God, it will be the kind of prayer that releases the power of God, for we’ll be offering prayer in partnership with the purposes of God.
“O God, make us desperate, and grant us faith and boldness to approach Your throne and make our petitions known, knowing that in doing we link arms with Omnipotence and become instruments of Your eternal purposes being fulfilled on this earth.” - Nancy Leigh DeMoss
