“Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”–Colossians 4:3- 4
Paul is writing this epistle to the church at Colosse, from his place in prison, “I am also in bonds.” In our text, he encourages the Christians there to be faithful in their praying, and he specifically requests prayer for himself. This is perhaps one of the most underrated and neglected privileges and responsibilities that we have been given: the act of prayer. Paul knew the value of prayer. He had seen God answer his prayers, and he was sincerely dependent on the prayers of God’s people.
When we hear prayer requests, how seriously do we take them? We all have heard missionaries speak of how much they are counting on the prayers of faithful intercessors. These are not just meaningless cliches. God hears and answers prayer. This is one of the great lessons of life. God, who can do anything He chooses, has made certain things that are His will, subject to our faith-filled prayers. One has to wonder how much of God’s will is being postponed or hindered because we have neglected our prayer closets. (Thomas Smith)
Notice the nature of Paul’s request. Rather than complain about his situation, or request funds, or ask to be set free, Paul wanted them to pray that God would use him to tell others of Christ. In other words, he was thinking of others rather than self, when others would have been thinking only of themselves instead of others. May the same be said of us!– HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
