We ended yesterday by recognising that the atmosphere of our relationships within the family can affect our prayer life.
HUSBANDS, IN THE SAME WAY BE CONSIDERATE as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, SO THAT NOTHING WILL HINDER YOUR PRAYERS. 1 Peter 3:7
Paul begins to draw his letter to the Colossians to a close with a short, expressive statement;
2 DEVOTE YOURSELVES TO PRAYER, BEING WATCHFUL AND THANKFUL. 3 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.
Paul tells the Colossians to DEVOTE themselves to prayer. Prayer is not optional for the believers, it’s like breathing, we can’t live without it. He also urges them to be WATCHFUL AND THANKFUL in their prayers, taking time to interact and hear from Heaven, not superficial! He immediately asks for their prayer for himself and his ministry. Are we praying for the needs of ministries or just our needs? Even the apostle Paul knew his need of prayer! He concludes this section by urging the Colossian believers TO PLAY THEIR PART IN SHARING THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST AS THEY HAVE OPPORTUNITY.
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a DEAR BROTHER (personal), a FAITHFUL MINISTER (speaks of his work) and FELLOW SERVANT IN THE LORD (Believer). 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus (they were travelling in pairs as the N.T. recommended) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.
Paul praises Tychicus on three levels, Personal Friendship, Public Ministry and Position in Christ.
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas … 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews(Paul regrets the absence of his own Jewish people helping in the Lord’s work) among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and THEY HAVE PROVED A COMFORT TO ME (though few in number, Paul was glad of their presence with him, perhaps the Lord’s kindness to Paul).
Epaphras Wrestled in Prayer for his brethren in Colosse and another example of a Biblical Prayer that we can pray.
12 Epaphras, WHO IS ONE OF YOU and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always ‘WRESTLING IN PRAYER FOR YOU’ (we’re more likely to pray for those whom we know personally), THAT YOU MAY STAND FIRM IN ALL THE WILL OF GOD, MATURE AND FULLY ASSURED 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you …
Paul ends his letter with a somewhat sad plea;
18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember My Chains. Grace be with you.
He began by asking for prayer for preaching the Gospel, V3 for which I am in chains and concludes with Remember My Chains. Don’t forget to pray for me personally, I need your prayer for myself.
38 Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you. AMPC
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God bless and keep you today.