Our Prayer Lives – Colossians 4:2-4

Colossians verse by verse – Lesson # 26. This lesson looks at Paul’s rousing exhortation to the believers to dedicate themselves to the ministry of prayer. From these verses we learn that prayer and the advancement of the Gospel go hand in hand.

1. These verses contain the last of the primary exhortations of the Epistle.
2. They cover 2 areas:
   • Our Prayer Lives (Vs. 2-4)
   • Our Public Lives (Vs. 5-6)
3. Prayer is the life blood of the Christian life.

The Habit of Prayer (Vs. 2)

Persistence – Be devoted to prayer (2a)

1. “continue in prayer” = to persevere, to devote yourselves to, persist in, be busily engaged in
2. Importunity (perseverance) is a central principle of true prayer
   1. Luke 11:5-13 – Parable of friend at midnight
   2. Luke 18:1-7 – Parable of widow & unjust judge
   3. E.M. Bounds: “Without continuance the prayer may go unanswered. Importunity is made up of the ability to hold on, to press on, to wait with unrelaxed and unrelaxable grasp, restless desire and restful patience. Importunate prayer is not an incident, but the main thing, not a performance but a passion, not a need but a necessity. Prayer in its highest form and grandest success assumes the attitude of a wrestler with God. It is the contest, trial and victory of faith; a victory not secured from an enemy, but from Him who tries our faith that He may enlarge it: that tests our strength to make us stronger…There is neither encouragement nor room in Bible religion for feeble desires, listless efforts, lazy attitudes; all must be strenuous, urgent, ardent. Inflamed desires, impassions, unwearied insistence delight Heaven. God would have His children incorrigibly in earnest and persistently bold in their efforts…Our whole being must be in our praying; like John Know, we must say and feel, “Give me Scotland, or I die.” (Purpose in Prayer P. 46)
3. Note example of Epaphras (Vs. 12)

Perception – Be alert in prayer (2b)

1. ‘watch’ = to be awake, to be watchful, vigilant
2. Matthew 26:41 – Christ exhorted Peter, James & John to “watch and pray”
3. Ephesians 6:18 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Note: Context in this passage is the Christian armor.
4. Our minds and hearts are engaged in praying. This state of mind/attitude will result in prayers that are earnest and specific.

Praise – Be thankful in prayer (2c)

1. This is the 5^th time thankfulness is mentioned in this small epistle
2. An important part of our Christian walk (S. 1:10 & 12)
3. Psalm 100:4-5 “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”
4. Note: We not only begin our prayers with words of thanks, but we are possessed with a spirit of thankfulness throughout our whole prayer time.

The Help of Prayer (Vs. 3-4)

Opportunities (Vs. 3)

1. The Apostle Paul frequently asked for the prayers of God’s people that the work of the Gospel might progress. The work of God will not advance very far until God’s people take up the burden of prayer for the Gospel ministry. Prayer blazes a trail for the Gospel!
   1. II. Thess. 3:1 “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:” ‘course’ = to run (swiftly like a runner)
   2. Ephesians 6:18-20 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
   3. Romans 15:30 “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;”
2. Why do we need to pray this way?
   1. Because Satan has blinded the eyes of the unsaved (2 Cor. 4:4)
   2. Because only God can open the heart – example of Lydia (Acts 16:14)

Utterance (Vs. 4)

1. The Gospel must be presented boldly & clearly – ‘manifest’ = to expose to view, make visible
2. The Gospel must be presented biblically – “as I ought to speak”

Conclusion

1. What priority does prayer have in our lives?
2. Do we pray for our pastor & those set apart to Gospel ministry?
3. Are we praying for open doors of opportunity for the Gospel?

Sermon 26 of 28 in Colossians Series

Sermon Audio Id: 1291721497