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?
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Prayer: Defense or Offense
The Christian life is not an easy won. We have to do battle on all fronts. We contend against the world, our own flesh and the craftiness of Satan. The apostle Paul in writing in Ephesians 6 mentions how we must be prepared to do battle with the crafty desires of the evil one.
Paul encourages us to put on the whole armor of God and be prepared to fight such evil forces. The apostle makes clear that it is not against flesh and blood that we are contending, but against those invisible forces! Then, Paul concludes this section with these words: "Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication." (Eph. 6:18)
The question I pose is: If we are engaged in such battle, are we more defensive or on the offense? How is it in your life? I believe if we want to see ourselves on the offensive, maybe we need to pray even more.
Paul encourages us to put on the whole armor of God and be prepared to fight such evil forces. The apostle makes clear that it is not against flesh and blood that we are contending, but against those invisible forces! Then, Paul concludes this section with these words: "Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication." (Eph. 6:18)
The question I pose is: If we are engaged in such battle, are we more defensive or on the offense? How is it in your life? I believe if we want to see ourselves on the offensive, maybe we need to pray even more.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Standing on the Promises of Prayer
There were various times in Jesus' life when he talked about prayer. He also gave us promises in regard to this very action.
On one occasion Jesus had cursed a fig tree and it withered immediately. The disciples were amazed at what Jesus was able to do. Then, Jesus puts the ball in their court by saying that if they had faith they could command a mountain to be cast into the sea. He concluded this comment by saying: "Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." Matthew 21:20
Prayer cannot be just a few words casually spoken from our lips as if they just seem to evaporate into the wind. Jesus wanted us to pray in faith; that is, he wanted us to take seriously our words and that are words are reaching heaven, and to believe that God cares enough to do something about what we say.
What is important here is the promise. Jesus tells us that by praying, we are able to receive what is beyond our limitations and what might be beyond our own expectations. So when you pray, it is helpful to remember the promise and the one who is saying these words.
On one occasion Jesus had cursed a fig tree and it withered immediately. The disciples were amazed at what Jesus was able to do. Then, Jesus puts the ball in their court by saying that if they had faith they could command a mountain to be cast into the sea. He concluded this comment by saying: "Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." Matthew 21:20
Prayer cannot be just a few words casually spoken from our lips as if they just seem to evaporate into the wind. Jesus wanted us to pray in faith; that is, he wanted us to take seriously our words and that are words are reaching heaven, and to believe that God cares enough to do something about what we say.
What is important here is the promise. Jesus tells us that by praying, we are able to receive what is beyond our limitations and what might be beyond our own expectations. So when you pray, it is helpful to remember the promise and the one who is saying these words.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Praying and Not Losing Heart
"And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart." Luke 18:1
We have Jesus' words to his disciples about praying. They were always to consider prayer an option. Even in the worst of conditions they were to pray.
Think of situations where you might lose heart.
1. You have been praying a long time and are growing weary.
2. You believe the situation is not within God's realm of working.
3. You believe there is too great of an obstacle for an answer to your situation.
4. You don't know if you are using the right words.
5. You don't feel worthy to receive an answer.
Maybe you could name some other reasons for losing heart.
Jesus went on after these words to tell his disciples a parable about a widow coming before a judge to seek vindication. It was her persistence that won the day for her. We ought to have the same attitude in prayer. We are to continue praying for what we so fervently desire. It just might make a big difference, more than what we anticipated.
We have Jesus' words to his disciples about praying. They were always to consider prayer an option. Even in the worst of conditions they were to pray.
Think of situations where you might lose heart.
1. You have been praying a long time and are growing weary.
2. You believe the situation is not within God's realm of working.
3. You believe there is too great of an obstacle for an answer to your situation.
4. You don't know if you are using the right words.
5. You don't feel worthy to receive an answer.
Maybe you could name some other reasons for losing heart.
Jesus went on after these words to tell his disciples a parable about a widow coming before a judge to seek vindication. It was her persistence that won the day for her. We ought to have the same attitude in prayer. We are to continue praying for what we so fervently desire. It just might make a big difference, more than what we anticipated.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Praying Making a Qualitative Difference
Last Sunday I began my sermon series on prayer. I posed the question at the end of my message for conversation among the worshipers: "How might prayer make a qualitative difference in a person's life?"
I believe it's easy to think of prayer in terms of quantity: we pray for so many things and obtain so many things. But let's look deeper at the quality aspect.
Surely, we can pray for big concerns such as for an injustice to be overcome or for better economic prosperity in our country. However, I believe the power of prayer is also in what it does to the person that will make a qualitative difference.
By developing a life of prayer, the by-product so to speak, is that you will develop greater communion with God. You will see your life in a way where every step is to be guided by the God who made you. You will also have found an anchor for your life. Who does not need something like this amid the chaos and uncertainty in our world today?
Another aspect is that you will grow in your conversation with God. You will find that your concerns might even change or how you pray for a certain concern will change over time. This is all personal growth on your part.
Therefore, I believe if you take prayer seriously and really dig deep into it, you will reap the benefits so that prayer not only changes things, but you as well.
I believe it's easy to think of prayer in terms of quantity: we pray for so many things and obtain so many things. But let's look deeper at the quality aspect.
Surely, we can pray for big concerns such as for an injustice to be overcome or for better economic prosperity in our country. However, I believe the power of prayer is also in what it does to the person that will make a qualitative difference.
By developing a life of prayer, the by-product so to speak, is that you will develop greater communion with God. You will see your life in a way where every step is to be guided by the God who made you. You will also have found an anchor for your life. Who does not need something like this amid the chaos and uncertainty in our world today?
Another aspect is that you will grow in your conversation with God. You will find that your concerns might even change or how you pray for a certain concern will change over time. This is all personal growth on your part.
Therefore, I believe if you take prayer seriously and really dig deep into it, you will reap the benefits so that prayer not only changes things, but you as well.
Friday, February 10, 2012
What Do You Uphold as the Benefit of Prayer?
I was thinking about various facets of prayer today along with what one would claim are the benefits of prayer. Here are a few things that came to my mind:
1. Prayer helps to get our problems solved.
2. Prayer helps to steer one's life in the right direction.
3. Prayer is an avenue to place your hope in a higher power.
4. Prayer moves you to find peace for yourself.
I'm sure more benefits could be added to this list. However, I believe that the prime benefit of prayer is that it will make a significant difference in one's relationship with God. You will be drawn closer to God. You will be learning more about what it means to trust God in your life.
In praying you are surrendering your life into the hands of the Creator of the universe. Whether your prayer includes elements of confession, praise, petition, or thanksgiving, you are acknowledging your life is wrapped up with God.
Prayer is an avenue to help you grow in your relationship with God.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
How You Start Your Day Matters
I have personally been in the habit of having devotions early in the morning after breakfast. I must confess here that sometimes, for various reasons, I have bypassed this ritual only to try to sneak it in later in the day. What I have found on such days is that my day doesn't seem to have started right. Something was missing.
The words of Psalm 5:3 read: "O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch." The psalmist here was pleading for having God's strength in order to live a righteous life, realizing the taunting coming from his enemies. I would believe that starting out the day with prayer did make a difference.
Early in the morning there are many things vying for our attention such as television and the daily newspaper. How willing are you to let God be first for you in the morning? I believe that when God has priority and we have a proper start to the day, it sets the tone for the rest of the day. We will live in the strength of God. We will be open to all that God wants to do in our lives.
The words of Psalm 5:3 read: "O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch." The psalmist here was pleading for having God's strength in order to live a righteous life, realizing the taunting coming from his enemies. I would believe that starting out the day with prayer did make a difference.
Early in the morning there are many things vying for our attention such as television and the daily newspaper. How willing are you to let God be first for you in the morning? I believe that when God has priority and we have a proper start to the day, it sets the tone for the rest of the day. We will live in the strength of God. We will be open to all that God wants to do in our lives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
