Seek the Father. Colossians 4:2-6 The Prayer Life of a Christian

Transcription

1 Seek the Father Colossians 4:2-6 The Prayer Life of a Christian

2 Colossians 4:2-6 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. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

3 Colossians 4:2-6 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

4 Opening Question How is your heart before the LORD right now? So easy to manufacture a heart for ministry while missing a heart for Christ.

5 What is Prayer? Ecclesiastes 5:1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

6 Roadmap - Colossians 4:2-6 How We Should Pray I. Pray with Devotion II. Pray with Watchfulness III.Pray with Thankfulness IV.Pray for Others 4 Things that Happen when we Pray

7 I. Pray with Devotion Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful For Paul, the prayer life was a life of dedication. Luke 18:1, "Now He was telling them a parable to show them that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart. Luke 11:9 "ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you."

8 How much prayer meant to Jesus! It was not only his regular habit, but his resort in every emergency, however slight or serious. When perplexed he prayed. When hard pressed by work he prayed. When hungry for fellowship he found it in prayer. He chose his associates and received his messages upon his knees. If tempted, he prayed. If criticized, he prayed. If fatigued in body or wearied in spirit, he had recourse to his one unfailing habit of prayer. Prayer brought him unmeasured power at the beginning, and kept the flow unbroken and undiminished.

9 There was no emergency, no difficulty, no necessity, no temptation that would not yield to prayer. S.D. Gordon Quiet Talks on Prayer

10 I. Pray with Devotion Jesus does not want us to give up in prayer. Be patient and listen. He instructs us to be devoted.

11 II. Pray with Watchfulness Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful Jesus always prayed with watchful anticipation because He knew that the constant temptation from the Devil is lurking nearby. 1 Peter 5:8 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

12 II. Pray with Watchfulness The prayers of Jesus in the Gospels: Mark 14:34! My soul is overwhelmed to the point of death. He said to them, stay here and keep watch. 1 Cor 10:13! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

13 II. Pray with Thankfulness Apostle Paul constantly mentions thankfulness in his letters: (Ephesians 5:20, Philippians 4:6, 1 Thess. 5:18, Colossians 3:17,1 Timothy 4:4) Expressing gratitude does several things: It articulates relationship It generates a new perspective

14 II. Praying for others Intercessory prayer is basically praying for others, it is praying for God's will to be done in the lives of other people. Jesus constantly Prayed for Others -Luke 22:23, Luke 23:34, John 14:15, John 17:19, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25

15 II. Praying for others Colossians 4:3 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. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

16 II. Praying for others Apostle Paul s Prayer Request for the Colossians -Paul wanted to see God s Kingdom to Expand. (Matthew 6:33) -In spite of his situation, He just wanted opportunities to lead someone to Christ How often do we pray for those who do not know God? Who are going to Hell?

17 4 Things that Happen When we Pray 1. Prayer helps us process the burdens around us. 2. Prayer develops patience. 3. Prayer aligns our Eyes and Hearts with His. 4. Prayer gives us courage to move forward.