Colossians 4:2-4 / How to get what you want.

Colossians 4:2–4 ESV

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.

Live a Life of prayer

Colossians 4:2 ESV

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

possible to hear this in the same tone as:

Don’t for get to eat your veggie

wash behind your ear

and say your prayers.

But Paul certainly pointing to a approach to prayer that requires more enthusiasm and devotion.

1. Continue steadfastly

KJV just says continue

but it’s actually much deep then that.

Greek word about being devoted to something.

“To attach oneself to”

Not something you have to set a reminder on your phone for.

This is not, however, an immediate change.

This is a type of devotion that defines you.

Illustration:

“Fitness is not about a number it’s about a lifestyle.”

In high school I was pretty good sprinter, especially in 110meter High Hurdles. Distance was not really my thing. in my mid 30’s when the Martin gene finally hit me I needed to lose weight. So I started running. actually dropped 40 lbs. But one thing I learned in that journey was that if I made this about a number on a scale I was probably going to fail. It needed to be a bigger change than that. I needed to change my lifestyle.

Paul is talking about changing your lifestyle to one that is rooted and centered around continual interaction and conversations with God.

If you make this about a number:

I pray every day (dinner, bedtime etc)

I attend our weekly prayer meeting.

Those things are PART of a life of prayer.

But if that’s all your coming with, you going to fail to have the relationship God desire to have with you.

We don’t need occasions with prayer, we need a life of prayer

2. Be watchful in it

… expectation that God will answer

the man caught in a flood

… of the devil’s scheme

spiritual warefare

devil prowls around ready to attack

… of Christ’s return

Matt 24:4 “ Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.’

I am praying today, Lord, not know if there will be a tomorrow

3. With thanksgiving.

Be watchful with thanksgiving

eucharistia: Where we get the word eucharist – communion

There is a Cadence in our daily rituals of thanksgiving

“Dad may please I have a glass of water.”

(after getting said glass of water)

“Thank you.” ...for giving me the glass of water

Being thankful here means

Thankful in ALL things

Trusting God’s sovereignty & grace

Thankful for YES, NO, NOT YET

“Lord, teach us to pray.”

Colossians 4:3–4 ESV

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.

Disciples once asked Jesus to teach them to pray. (Luke 11:1-13)

Jesus answered - “…They kingdom come, they will be done.”

To what measure? “…one earth as it is in heaven.”

Jesus didn’t give them a model

Pray this, then this, etc.

Jesus gave them a motive

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done.

So what is Paul’s motive?

To be able to spread the gospel

listen to what he said...

“That God may open a door”

Hard lesson for me to learn,

Stop opening doors!

Look for the doors God has opened!

Then have the faith to walk through them.

“To declare the mystery of Christ”

This singular purpose should be seen in all of our prayer.

when we prayer for others

Christ healed them but lead them to God

Peter and John to the blind begger.

when we prayer for ourself

God I have desires but my greatest desire is to share the Gospel

Paul is in chains but prays to share the gospel.

“To declare the mystery of Christ … that I may make is clear, which is how I ought to speak.”

Lord help me speak clearly the mystery of the Gospel.

Equality in Prayer

(an observation)

Did you all notice that this is Paul asking this young struggling church to pray for him and his group.

God granted Paul incredible ability,

Yet Paul still requested prayer from them.

Twins love to help me work in the yard. But a lot of times you have to find something light enough they can handle.

Paul is not trying to give us something to feel useful

We are all the same in prayer.

It’s not the power from us, it’s the power in us!

United in Prayer.

(Be a part of something big)

It is an honor to be a part of what God is doing… even if your contribution is prayer.

Stop saying, “All I can do is pray.” That is WHAT we do!

Paul wasn’t just asking for prayer. He was asking the church to join him in serving the kingdom for the glory of Jesus Christ!

So how do you get what you want?

James 4:3 ESV

3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

What is it that you want?

Does what you want show a desire for the kingdom?

Jesus Christ is at work even now, do your desires in life show that you want to join Him?

Paul knew what we should know:

Jesus Dies for us to have a relationship with God

That relationship is now.

Our prayers should reflect that relationship we have through Christ.

Continual

Steadfast

Kingdom focused

Fearless