How to Pray, with Details

Dan Sullivan   -   February 7, 2019

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

Colossians 4:2‭-‬5 ESV

There are a lot of places where people might feel like the Bible is unclear, but sometimes clarity becomes timeless. This charge from Paul to the Colossians would be appropriate and beneficial for people in 50 AD, 2018, and 3220.

• Continue steadfast prayer
• Be watchful in prayer
• Be thankful in prayer

Those three ways give you a clear start to pray just about any time. In trouble, be steadfast. In fear, be watchful. In joy and blessing, be thankful. You can even mix those together and be thankful in hardship and steadfast through blessings. You could spend a week on praying in those combinations.

• Pray that I would preach the Gospel clearly
• Pray that God would give us a chance to preach

There are people that have made their full-time work preaching the Gospel. We should pray for those people every single day. They are making the Gospel their daily activity and livelihood. Without the distractions or added stress of ‘tent making’ or business as mission or working their job, they are preaching the Gospel full time all day and night. As joyful and fulfilling as that sounds, it is far from easy. Pray for such people to have a chance and then to be bold when they get the chance to preach the Gospel.

• Walk in wisdom toward outsiders
• Make good use of your time

Yes, all Christians can overflow with their joy in the Gospel and the work God has done in them. We must do it on purpose, though.

As we talk to each other and outsiders overhear us, are they hearing the Gospel or are they hearing bitterness and disdain? Would people want to spend eternity with someone like you? If you’ve only got one Facebook account to use, how are you using it?

The awesome news is that all of these things work together to shape and mold the same life. We are walking in wisdom when pray with thanksgiving. We are making good use of our time when we are watchful and thankful in prayer. We are wise toward outsiders when we tell them about Jesus’ love in a compassionate, appropriate, and timely way.

Pray that we would all do these things as a church. Pray for the leaders and the newcomers. As our life is more integrated in the ways of the Lord, it will be more integrated with His Church.

—