“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 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. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”Colossians 4:2–5
From his prison cell in Rome, Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write a letter to the church in the Greek city of Colosse. Unlike his other epistles, this one was written to people he had never met. The church there had been established by others, but Paul was concerned for their spiritual growth and development. Over and over this brief letter talks about the importance of prayer. When we think of Paul’s condition at the time, there were many things for which he could have asked. Yet his greatest concern was that this church would pray for him. It is impossible to overstate the importance of prayer to the Christian life and ministry.
It is said that the great Scottish preacher Andrew Bonar had this reminder visible in his study: “He who has truly prayed has completed half of his study.” The tragedy of prayer is that while it is so important, it is easily overlooked. We find our schedules filled and our days packed with events and programs—many of them good and important—and prayer gets pushed aside.
Yet without prayer we lack the strength and resources needed to do God’s work and live the Christian life. Prayer is not a few rote words mumbled over meals or before bed. Prayer is a conversation with God that takes place throughout the day and throughout our lives. It is not an occasional thing but a continual and repeated process through which we pour out our hearts to our loving Father in Heaven.
Regular, fervent, meaningful prayer is the foundation of our work and ministry for Jesus Christ.–Paul Chappell
