If Only We would Pray

If only We would Pray. Paul writes near the conclusion of his epsitle to the Colossians Continue steadfastly in prayer. Be watchful in it (Prayer) with thanksgiving. What a concept praying and praising! Approaching God continually and keep praise at the forefront of our minds.

I gather that Paul instructs the church to pray because he understands prayer is the saints greatest weapon. Not just prayer but prayer with looking for opportunity to thank God. The Message Bible said Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. (Col 4:2).

As he told the Romans 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Ro 12:12). This is reminder of what he shared earlier in Colossians so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Col 2:6–7).

Paul shares in verses 2 thru 4 some advice the modern day church can use.

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Col 4:2–6).

The church today is searching for its relevancy. The world is questioning whether we even need church today. A great percentage of folks don’t come to church , don’t send their children to church, or even have any connection to a church.

Yes the world has done a con job on itself. Now its not just the worls we have done a hatchet job on ourselves also.

The place that many seek for refuge has demonstrate ungodly behavior. We have hurt the hurting or even killed the wounded. We talk so bad about the church that anyone in their right mind want no part of the church.

The fact is, the Church is not healthy; she has intermittent fits of health, she has starts of energy, she has paroxysms of agony; but she does not agonize for souls, she is not always earnest, she is not always busy. Well did Paul need to say to this age as to his own, “Continue in prayer,” not one week, but every week, not for such a season, but at all seasons. Be ye always crying out unto the Lord your God.

Paul must have known we would need a stark reminder that church has to help itself.

SO Paul starts by saying

Pray continually.

What does prayer do?

It allows us to be intercessors with God. We have the ability to pray for one another. Praying for this world!

But why should the Church—to come to the question—why should the Church continue in prayer? For several reasons, and the first is, God will answer her. It is not possible that God should refuse to hear prayer.

Prayers are needed from the pulpit to the back door. Tells them to pray for him so that he may make the Gospel clear and understandable. He sai the very same thing to the Ephesians. 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Eph 6:18–20).

What I found out is that when you pray for me. I preach better. When you pray for me you learn more. When we pray for each other we go further!

But continue in prayer once more, because prayer is a great weapon of attack against the error and wickedness of the world.

Spurgeon, C. H. (1861). A Sermon for the Week of Prayer. In The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons (Vol. 7, p. 52). London: Passmore & Alabaster.

So we are to pray continually for ourselves and each other. Also we are to be thankful.

Prayer and praise is jut the foundation we are to Walk in Wisdom

The church is suffering lost because we who are knowledgeable, intellectual are not using wisdom.

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders. Have we considered our approach ? Have me made concessions that the way we have been doing it may not be working?

I am constantly thinking of how we invite. What church looks like. Ephesians :5:15-17 reminds us 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Eph 5:15–17).

The people today will not embrace how we did church growing up. We use to come to church early on Sunday. 9:30 Sunday School 11 AM Service 3:30 PM Afternoon Service(Musicals, Anniversary Days, ) BTU at 6 PM. That’s how we did church. I got news for you that will not fly today. Anyone who is stuck in that time is like a dinosaurs. That ministry is heading for extinction.

As bad as COVID was it allowed the church to pivot and drop a lot of time wasting activities.

All those services were not making us better. I am sure God was not getting the glory. Yet today we can offer the world a worship experience that they can connect to. Whether they are in person or watching via streaming they are connected.

We are constantly looking at what we are sending out. If it needs tweaking then I am willing to tweak it. What should the church be doing? That same chapter of Ephesians said be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Eph 5:18–21).

That’s what a wise saint does. We are focused on proper behavior.

Which leads me to my final point on this subject

Speak graciously.

That’s what Paul is reminding us.

Look at verse 6 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Col 4:6).

Be gracious season with salt. Remember what Jesus said 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another. (Mk 9:50).

Our seasonness bring peace. It causes us to act differently towards each other and the world. We have a responsibility to be kind to each other. When people come here they need to be assured that they will be treated graciously and welcomed in peace.

They should not see any infighting. They should not hear scoffing. There should be a true sense of harmony.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Col 3:16–17). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.