Colossians 4:2-4

Colossians 4:2-4 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

Paul would never write a letter without urging the duty and privilege of prayer. He tells them to persevere. Our persistence is an expression of faith that God does answer prayer.

God always answers prayer, whether His answer is Yes, No or Wait. When He says no, He has something better in mind for us and we might need to learn a different lesson. When He says wait, we need to trust His perfect timing.

Paul often asks people to pray for him. But, notice here, he asks them to pray for his work: not his release from prison or a successful outcome to his coming trial – only for the strength and opportunity to do the work God sent him to do. Sometimes we need to realize we shouldn’t ask to be released from some problem or illness, but for the strength to get through it the way God wants us to.

One commentator wrote, “Prayer should always be for power and seldom for release; for not release, but conquest must be the keynote of the Christian life.”