For this week's study on Colossians 4 I was inspired by my pastor's sermon where he focused on Colossians 4:2-18 which can be found here. Since I've been looking at praying the scriptures, and how to pray the scriptures, I am only looking at 4:2-6. I pray this is a helpful little study that encourages you to jump into God's Word and to pray His Word. God bless you!
Some of the
Conditions of Prayer (4:2):
1.
Devotion
– “devote yourselves to…” (NIV), “Continue steadfastly…” (ESV) Others?
a.
What is Paul assuming about their prayer lives?
b.
How do we see this played out in the book of
Acts?
i. 1:14 – “joined together constantly in
prayer”…
ii. 1:24 – “Then they prayed…” and selected
Judas’ replacement, Matthias
iii. 2:42 – “They devoted themselves…to prayer.”
iv. 3:1 – “going up to the temple at the time of
prayer…”
v. 4:24 – “they raised their voices together in
prayer…”
vi. 6:4 – “will give our attention to prayer…”
hence the selection of Deacons
vii. 9:10-19 – Ananias heard God in a vision, he
went to a praying Saul (11)
viii.
10:3ff
– Cornelius “your prayers…have come up as a memorial offering”
ix. And so on!!
c.
Application
- How can we combat what deters our prayer lives?
2.
Watchful
–
a.
Does it seem that Paul has an outward focus, or
an inward focus, here?
b.
What does Jesus have to say on this matter?
i. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall
into temptation” (Mk. 14:38)
c.
Application
– What do you do to help you stay watchful and focused?
3.
Thankful
–
a.
How can being thankful keep our wants and
desires in check? (James 4:1-3)
b.
What does Jesus have to say on this matter?
i. “Give us today our daily bread” (Mt. 6:11).
Requesting the necessities, and what brings God glory, helps keep our wants in check,
which enables us to be even more mindful of God’s provisionà
gratitude!
c.
Application –
When do you find you are most thankful?
Some of the
Content of Prayer (4:3-6):
1.
Open
Doors for the Gospel -
a.
For whom are you praying for “open doors”?
b.
Can you think of a passage where God literally
opened doors for the Gospel?
i. Acts 16:6-10 – Vision of the Macedonian Man;
Acts 14:27 – “a door of faith to the Gentiles.”
c.
Application –
What helps you persevere in prayer for those doors to open?
i. Ill.:
Christopher Yuan’s mother – prayed for his salvation EVERYDAY for 8 years,
fasted every Monday, and even did a 39 day fast.
2.
Clarity
and Wisdom to embody the Gospel Message –
a.
What two ways does Paul call the church to be
ready for “outsiders”?
“…we should spend days and
nights in solicitation at the feet of God, and seize resolutely on him and
protest to him with a firm and fixed determination that we will not leave him
alone until he grants our desire. No, Lord, you shall not escape me. Either you
must suffer day and night from my importunities, or I obtain what I’m asking. I
will give you no rest until you have fulfilled the desire of my heart. I will
have it from your hand or die begging for it. Such, Christians, is the
perseverance which the apostle commands us here, and again elsewhere, when he
gives us order to pray without ceasing”
(From The Reformation Commentary on
Scripture: Philippians, Colossians, IVP © 2013, pg. 239).
This morning let’s pray
for an OPEN DOOR in our local circle and in a global corner!
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