5/24/25 The Divine Instructions

In the last 2 weeks we have seen that the book of Colossians is set up to address common problems that are driven by the kingdom of darkness that existed back then that are still problems today. Further there is a great deal of our operations in life that are based on relationships & the proper understanding of how those relationships are to operate starting with marriage & the family. Last week we dove into the workplace & the proper means of operation for a child of God even under conditions that are unjust & lacking love. The long & the short of this was for what we arrive to this week. In both of those messages I pointed out that the recognition of proper authority according to the Lord & in acts of submission will set you up for spiritual authority because it is the manner in which Jesus operated.

Here we are in Ch.4 and where does Paul go next to prayer.

² Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

First of all, let us consider the barren state of the aspect of prayer. How often do you pray? Off the top Paul gives the command to devote ourselves to prayer. This is communication with the Lord. God himself & he wants to hear from you. Operators are not standing by, He is live waiting to hear from his child. That is right. That is something that we need to come to grips with. If you have trusted in the life, work, death, resurrection, ascension & intercession of Jesus Christ for your sins than you are a child of God. Devote yourself to prayer, communication with your Father. Notice he does not say devote yourself to your job, or to your hobbies. Praye is the urgency by Paul in a troubled time when the church was being rocked with attacks from the kingdom of darkness.

He coupled this with being watchful. Watch for what? The Father to move in your circumstance. The process is not usually quick, because it builds anticipation and trust. How much do you trust him? Enough to keep knocking on the door waiting for him to open the door to the blessing? Watch and be thankful for anything on the journey as you continue to pray.

Now let’s address prayer. You may have heard me mention before that this is not simply a monologue. There is an exchange that many of us miss. We are too busy and do not take the time to listen to what he may have to say to us. Isn’t that missing the point. Admission that I have been guilty of this. Together we can make the change to commit to this. Listen to Holy Spirit you may be surprised what he has to say to you in your circumstance.

Paul doesn’t leave this command he goes on in V3

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.

Pray for others. Brothers & sisters in Christ. Colaborers who are active in their respective callings. Paul writing this while in prison not praying for justice, not praying for his treatment, but asking the church to pray for the opportunity to proclaim the truth of Christ. To share the message of hope to a dying world.

That is our calling. Speak the word. Model who Jesus is and the freedom of his name. You may say preacher, you don’t know about me. My life has been riddled with trauma, habits & company that the church would not approve of. Let’s talk about that. Jesus welcomed all. He broke bread with beggars and thieves. You are called to be the light of the world & you’re stuck that you are among dumpsters. Then God called you to be a dumpster fire among dumpsters that brings light to the darkness. Paul has a lot going on just like you and I & we should echo his request in V4.

⁴ Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

Don’t we all want to be heard, understood? That is the request of Paul here. Now the focus of this portion is prayer Go back to chapter 3, it is about submission and serving for the purpose of authority in prayer.