2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Colossians 4:2–4
Someone devoted to prayer is actively engaged in the workings of God. There is no need to be prodded to see God’s hands in everything, for there is the full expectation that he is present, accounted for, and causing all things to work together for good. (Romans 8:28)
Prayers are offered up with the anticipation of action, as one would expect a chemical reaction to occur on the basis of prior scientific experimentation. While we don’t know how he’ll answer, there is assurance that he will indeed act, and genuine excitement waiting for what he’ll do and how he’ll do it.
Because of the Greek word used here for prayer, prosueche, our petitions should be regular enough to be offered from a “place of prayer,” perhaps a favorite chair. I remember my godly grandmother who lived with us for a time while I was growing up. I can still see and hear her in the middle of the night grappling with God in her favorite chair in the family room. Remember, Jesus had his lonely place where escaped early in the morning to pray.
In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Mark 1:35
Paul went on to use one of Colossae’s own, Epaphras, as an example of someone who spent copious amounts of time in prayer.
Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12
Devoting oneself to habitual prayer is vital when you’re immersed in life with pressing needs in your family and job, while at the same time, there are those propagating the gospel on the front lines as their primary calling. My missionary friend prone to spend time in India and Central America is counting on me to support him not only with money, but with prayer. It’s similar to air support in a military operation. He’s hoping for doors to open to share the gospel, and to do so clearly and effectively. That’s what really matters to him. See Paul’s take on this below.
3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Colossians 4:3–4
I think I can safely say that if there is no regular place of prayer in your life right now, and no time devoted to it, a mature relationship with the Lord has yet to surface in your life. If you are not wrestling with God in your “lonely place,” there is a way to go in your Christian experience. If this troubles you, this is a good place to start, a “first order of business,” as you approach God’s throne after a sustained absence.
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