Why Pray?

Colossians 4:1-6

I’ve told you I’m a mess, and so thankful that God loves messes, and yet often I awake from my cluttered life and wonder why; why do I live in such defeat.  Now I find myself in some good company, the apostle Paul also lived, at times, a defeated Christ life.  Look with me at Romans 7:15, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”  Paul goes on to explain that his flesh has learned how to operate outside of Christ, and there lies the battleground.   The key to winning this battle is found in Galatians 5:16, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”  Now the problem a mess like me encounters is letting my emotions be in the fallback position, and depending on the old ways of getting my needs met outside of Christ.

 If we read Colossians 4:1 in today’s English, we would exchange the word slaves for employees, so read it that way.  The word bondservant also is used, and it was a slave who chose to stay with his master, even after he was released.  “Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”

But beginning in verses 2-6 we are given further instructions on how to live this life on planet earth.  Start with verses 2-4, “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.”

We are told to be steadfast in our prayers, and yet many of us fall so short and could it be we just do not understand why and whom to pray to?  In the book of Daniel 9:18b, “For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.”  And in 19a we hear a very dependent Daniel pleading with God; “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act.”  I know of no other who is all knowing, all loving, all merciful, and who can forgive sin.  That is why one should be steadfast in prayer!

It is evident we should pray, but about what, any and everything, and yet these mighty should be high on the list.  Pray for understanding and wisdom, and you will find instruction on doing so in Proverbs 2:6-8 and Proverbs 3:5.  If you do not have a thankful spirit ask the Father to fill you with thanksgiving and you will find insight in Philippians 4:6 & 7.  My wife is a prayer warrior, and each night we lay in bed and intercede, and anyone who is in Christ can bring one who is in need before the throne of God.

Paul is writing this letter to the church at Colossae, while in his first time in a Roman prison, go back and read what he is asking the church to do.

It is verses 5 & 6 where I often get in trouble, shall we read them with a desire to do as instructed.  “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” 

I served on the homeowner’s board in my area and it was not a fun job.  Last week at a board meeting I was offering to do an act of kindness, but one person, an astute person was putting up roadblocks that I knew were not in the covenants.  I told you I’m a mess and that night I allowed my emotions to rule, saying that is just stupid, and I said it more than once, I was right in what I said but very wrong in how I said it.  I left wisdom at the door, and my speech was not gracious.  Today, I must write a letter to the Board asking them to forgive me, especially the lady who I was addressing.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice