Continue earnestly in prayer
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak (Colossians 4:2-4).
There is always a remarkable spiritual optimism and enthusiasm in Paul’s practical ministry. He never apologises for continually reminding his fellow Christians of the essential aspects of walking humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). And you have a genuine sense that he was encouraging the flock of God in the practices which were a fundamental part of his own life.
Persistent and earnest prayer was central to his life. Prayer is presented as being a spiritual state that is characterised by systematic and spontaneous prayer. We are encouraged to have times devoted to prayer. And also to be ready in every circumstance to spontaneously lift our hearts up to the Throne of Grace. I have an iPhone, an astonishing piece of technology, but completely useless when I find myself in some areas of rural Lincolnshire where there is no signal. There is no place or circumstance in which we cannot instantaneously connect by the Holy Spirit of God with our Father and Saviour in heaven. But we still have to call!
Paul encourages us to be earnest and vigilant in prayer. We often say, “I’ll pray for you.” Jesus said to Peter, “But I have prayed for you” (Luke 22:32). In these simple words the Lord conveys a depth of love and grace which are so challenging. In the Garden of Gethsemane, as the Lord faced the cross and all it meant, He “prayed more earnestly” (Luke 22:44). I don’t think that there was ever a time throughout the Lord’s ministry when He did not pray earnestly for His people, and the lost and broken-hearted. Jesus prayed with a watching heart. Parents know the experience of constantly watching over their children in both the simplicities and the complexities of life. The spirit of alertness to danger and preparedness to act to protect is instinctive. Spiritual watchfulness and protective intercession should mark our prayers.
Prayer should be characterised by thankfulness. The Lord used the beautiful expression, “I thank you, Father” in Matthew 11:25 for the spiritual understanding given to His disciples. In John 11:41, in anticipation of the resurrection of Lazarus, Jesus prays, “Father, I thank you.” The Lord gives us the examples of thanksgiving for His people’s spiritual blessing and of the revelation to this world, through the Gospel, that He is the “Resurrection and the Life”.
The Gospel was always in the heart of the apostle. With humility, he asks for specific prayer that a door be opened for him and his fellow workers to communicate Christ. He was imprisoned, but he did not ask for prayer to be released. He asked for prayer for the liberty and power of the Gospel to free people from the chains of darkness and death. He knew the prayers of his fellow Christians were vital to his God-given ministry. When the Lord sent Ananias to recover Paul’s sight in Acts 9, He told him that Saul of Tarsus was praying. So began a life of prayer that teaches us so much.
