Prayer Devotion

Colossians 4:2-6

In our Sunday service, we have been going over Colossians and the need for prayer. As Paul states in Colossians 4:2-4, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been bound, that I may make it manifest in the way I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, redeeming the time.Let your words always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should answer each person.”

This passage demonstrates that we are to make prayer our constant practice, and at the same time, have an attitude of gratitude (thanksgiving). This practice prepares us to have control over our heart and tongue as we “speak the mystery of Christ” to the world. Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This beautiful verse reminds believers that God is always in control; this verse, when it is accompanied by Philippians 4:4, 6-7: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice!…Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 



These verses confirm for us that our security for our day-to-day is in Christ, and that we need to trust in His provision, and that starts with a heart of prayer, which leads to fellowship, which leads to the desire to study His Word and grow in our relationship with our Savior. So, what is holding you back from a strong prayer life? And a strong study life in the Bible? Remember that even when we do not know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit gives us utterance: “And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” So, rest assured that your Father in heaven hears you and knows what you need. As Jesus confirmed, “Therefore, do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8).