Hello brothers and sisters,

Our passage today demonstrates the evangelistic importance of prayer in the life of your local church. The Apostle Paul, arguably the greatest missionary the church has ever seen, understands that prayer is foundational for success in the spread of the gospel. His prayer request is not only that God would create opportunities to preach the gospel, but also that God would empower him to speak the message clearly.

Clarity is so important when sharing Christ with others. We need to preach the message as accurately as we possibly can. And while God certainly can, and thankfully will, accomplish His purposes in spite of our mistakes, it doesn’t give us an excuse for not being clear. Which is why prayer is such a vital part of our gospel efforts!

Paul exhorts the church at Colossae to be watchful in prayer, which means to be alert and vigilant. It means to be careful to pray with your mind fully aware of the attacks of the enemy, and to pray accordingly. It is to use your Spirit-empowered, Word-driven mind when making your requests to God.

Paul also says to be steadfast, which is to be faithful and dedicated to prayer. To be steadfast means to be “dutifully firm and unwavering.” And notice how he undergirds all of it with thanksgiving! As we pray for the gospel to be spread, and for Jesus Christ to be worshiped and adored among the nations, let us remember to always approach God with thanksgiving. Let us be grateful for what He has done for us and is now doing in us. And let us thank Him for the great privilege of sharing this Good News with others, an amazing work that He is doing through us! Let us pray.

God bless,    Jamie