Wednesday, April 25, 2012

A Missional Prayer

The apostle Paul wrote "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.  At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should."  Colossians 4:2-4

Paul in writing to the Colossians is asking them to continue to be engaged in prayer as a way of life.  He is also asking personally for their prayers.  He is in prison and still wants God's work to be move forward.  Maybe Paul envisions a time when he will be set free.  If not, he is praying that his coworkers would be able to continue the work of spreading the word of Christ in new territory.

We note that Paul was asking for prayers that a door would open up in doing this work.  I believe that our congregations also ought to be praying for "a door to open."  It might be that from what is discovered a new ministry will be started by the congregation to exhibit Jesus' presence in the community.  It might be that a new way of connecting with folks in the area has been revealed and will be tried.

Our prayers can ask God for direction in this area.  How much are you praying for it?