As the apostle Paul draws to a close his letter to the Colossians, he wrote: "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..." Colossians 4:3
While Paul had been remembering the Christians at Colossae in his prayers, he now invites them to remember him and his co-workers. They, too, needed his prayers.
We who are pastors and leaders in a congregation do need the prayers of the people we are leading. We need to know we are supported by our brothers and sisters in Christ and that our names are brought before God so that we will receive the power to sustain us.
We note here that Paul prays specifically that God would "open to us a door for the word." As pastors and leaders are always searching for new opportunities for ministry, it is vital to have the prayers of parishioners that God would help open up a new avenue. Sometimes, a new door opened leads to a significant ministry for a congregation.
Do you pray for your pastor and leaders? If not, they would appreciate the support that you can give!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Being Alert in Prayer
As we now continue looking at prayer in Colossians, we come to the apostle Paul writing: "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving." Colossians 4:2
Paul here desires his readers to be "devoted" to prayer. Prayer becomes a regular part of one's life. It's not just something that is used in emergencies. Prayer is viewed as what sustains our relationship with our Creator and enables that relationship to grow.
You might ask in regard to the next part of this verse: What does Paul mean by being alert in prayer? What he means here is being attentive to God or listening for what God might want to say. Oftentimes, we see prayer as a one way conversation. It is really two ways. We are also to be alert to what God might be saying in our conscience at the moment.
How often have you prayed by pausing during your prayer or even at the very end - to take time to listen? As you do so, you might find yourself giving thanks for what you have.
It is a discipline we need to develop. It is not easy in our fast-paced world. I encourage to be "alert" for what God might want to communicate to you.
Paul here desires his readers to be "devoted" to prayer. Prayer becomes a regular part of one's life. It's not just something that is used in emergencies. Prayer is viewed as what sustains our relationship with our Creator and enables that relationship to grow.
You might ask in regard to the next part of this verse: What does Paul mean by being alert in prayer? What he means here is being attentive to God or listening for what God might want to say. Oftentimes, we see prayer as a one way conversation. It is really two ways. We are also to be alert to what God might be saying in our conscience at the moment.
How often have you prayed by pausing during your prayer or even at the very end - to take time to listen? As you do so, you might find yourself giving thanks for what you have.
It is a discipline we need to develop. It is not easy in our fast-paced world. I encourage to be "alert" for what God might want to communicate to you.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Remembering Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ
During my vacation I read through the letter of Paul to the Colossians as part of my devotional time. I want to devote the next several weeks to what the letter says in regard to prayer.
The apostle Paul wrote in the opening of the letter: 4"In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints..." Col. 1:3-4
How often have you prayed with thanksgiving for the faith and love that the members of your church have or for what you notice in another congregation?
I believe we often take this faith and love for granted. But then, again, it is the work of God through the Holy Spirit who enables us to have such attributes.
I do believe we need to pray with thanksgiving, especially for those within our own congregations. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ. They did not just by chance happen to come to such an organization called "the church." The divine power of God was at work.
By praying with thanks for them, we are expressing our appreciation for what God has made them. By such prayers we, too, might be transformed in our valuing them and move us to give words of encouragement to them.
The apostle Paul wrote in the opening of the letter: 4"In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints..." Col. 1:3-4
How often have you prayed with thanksgiving for the faith and love that the members of your church have or for what you notice in another congregation?
I believe we often take this faith and love for granted. But then, again, it is the work of God through the Holy Spirit who enables us to have such attributes.
I do believe we need to pray with thanksgiving, especially for those within our own congregations. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ. They did not just by chance happen to come to such an organization called "the church." The divine power of God was at work.
By praying with thanks for them, we are expressing our appreciation for what God has made them. By such prayers we, too, might be transformed in our valuing them and move us to give words of encouragement to them.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
A Marathon in Praying
How long are you willing to keep praying for something you earnestly desire? A month? A year? Two years? As long as it takes?
Jesus told the story of a man who went to his friend's house to obtain some bread because a visitor was coming. (Luke 11:5-8) The friend hears the request; and because the door is locked and it is bedtime, is unwilling to help. However, the neighbor keeps knocking and seeking some food; and because of his persistence finally receives what he needs.
The key word here is "persistence." It's having that willingness to keep on praying even when the time is not right. It is to keep on praying even when weariness has set in on us.
The story follows the disciples request to Jesus that he teach them how to pray. What followed was what we call today "The Lord's Prayer" and then Jesus gives this story about persistence.
Why persistence? Maybe it is in God's nature that in due time our prayers will be answered. Maybe, too, it is that God wants to know if we are really serious for what we are praying.
What desires have been in your heart? Would you be willing to see prayer not so much as a sprint, but what might actually be a marathon?
Jesus told the story of a man who went to his friend's house to obtain some bread because a visitor was coming. (Luke 11:5-8) The friend hears the request; and because the door is locked and it is bedtime, is unwilling to help. However, the neighbor keeps knocking and seeking some food; and because of his persistence finally receives what he needs.
The key word here is "persistence." It's having that willingness to keep on praying even when the time is not right. It is to keep on praying even when weariness has set in on us.
The story follows the disciples request to Jesus that he teach them how to pray. What followed was what we call today "The Lord's Prayer" and then Jesus gives this story about persistence.
Why persistence? Maybe it is in God's nature that in due time our prayers will be answered. Maybe, too, it is that God wants to know if we are really serious for what we are praying.
What desires have been in your heart? Would you be willing to see prayer not so much as a sprint, but what might actually be a marathon?
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Supplication
The last part of the ACTS structure of prayer is supplication. After giving adoration, confession, and thanksgiving, one can finish one's praying with supplication.
We do need to remember that it is a privilege for us to approach God in prayer. We who are sinful beings are allowed to call up to a holy and righteous God.
We pray because we do have concerns for which we feel we need divine help. It might be in dealing with an illness or perhaps finding a job. We feel that our initiative alone will not carry the day. We feel that we need a stronger power at work in our lives in order to get results.
We might also come to God because we need guidance in life. We have reached a fork in the road and cannot properly discern which way to go. Here we are leaning on God's direction, which might come to us internally, through conversation with other people, or with a door that opens up for us.
We are approaching God only because we know that we have a gracious God. We have a God who will look favorably upon us despite our own shortcomings and sin. Supplication gives us the opportunity to place our faith in God above everything else.
We do need to remember that it is a privilege for us to approach God in prayer. We who are sinful beings are allowed to call up to a holy and righteous God.
We pray because we do have concerns for which we feel we need divine help. It might be in dealing with an illness or perhaps finding a job. We feel that our initiative alone will not carry the day. We feel that we need a stronger power at work in our lives in order to get results.
We might also come to God because we need guidance in life. We have reached a fork in the road and cannot properly discern which way to go. Here we are leaning on God's direction, which might come to us internally, through conversation with other people, or with a door that opens up for us.
We are approaching God only because we know that we have a gracious God. We have a God who will look favorably upon us despite our own shortcomings and sin. Supplication gives us the opportunity to place our faith in God above everything else.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Thanksgiving
We now consider the third part of prayer (ACTS) which is thanksgiving. After giving adoration, and making confession, one might wish to proceed to give thanks.
Having a sense of gratitude has always been an emphasis of Scripture. The apostle Paul wrote: "Give thanks in all circumstances." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Everything we have in life comes as a gift. We are dependent upon God for our survival from day to day - with the sunshine and the very air that we breathe. We might even say that our privilege to pray comes from the grace of God.
As we come before God in prayer, it is only proper that we do it with a feeling of gratitude within us. If we are going to "ask" for something from God, it is fitting that we do acknowledge thanks for all that we have received.
How much do you give thanks to God in your prayers? What proportion of thanksgiving is present compared to your asking?
Having a sense of gratitude has always been an emphasis of Scripture. The apostle Paul wrote: "Give thanks in all circumstances." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Everything we have in life comes as a gift. We are dependent upon God for our survival from day to day - with the sunshine and the very air that we breathe. We might even say that our privilege to pray comes from the grace of God.
As we come before God in prayer, it is only proper that we do it with a feeling of gratitude within us. If we are going to "ask" for something from God, it is fitting that we do acknowledge thanks for all that we have received.
How much do you give thanks to God in your prayers? What proportion of thanksgiving is present compared to your asking?
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Confession
Last week, I mentioned the first part of the ACTS structure of prayer, which is adoration. Today, I want to mention the second part, which is confession. Confession has a place in public worship, where confession is made in a corporate sense.
In addition, it can be used as a part of prayer- anytime and anywhere. If we have been adoring and praising God at the opening of our prayer, then we can in humility confess our sin. This confessing also helps to establish our relationship with God after giving praise. We then remove any pride we might have in ourselves.
In my own prayer life, this part of praying usually entails what has been done in the last 24 hours that has been sin. Of course, I realize it is only those things for which I am aware, though there are many other sins.
Confession helps us to experience the forgiveness that comes from God. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. " 1 John 1:9
How much confessing do you do in your own prayer life? Might it be worthwhile to implement it more in your prayers?
In addition, it can be used as a part of prayer- anytime and anywhere. If we have been adoring and praising God at the opening of our prayer, then we can in humility confess our sin. This confessing also helps to establish our relationship with God after giving praise. We then remove any pride we might have in ourselves.
In my own prayer life, this part of praying usually entails what has been done in the last 24 hours that has been sin. Of course, I realize it is only those things for which I am aware, though there are many other sins.
Confession helps us to experience the forgiveness that comes from God. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. " 1 John 1:9
How much confessing do you do in your own prayer life? Might it be worthwhile to implement it more in your prayers?
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