Day 13: Prayer Open Doors
Today’s Reading: Colossians 4:2–6
Welcome to Day 13 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2023. This is Week 2, The Comfort of the Holy Spirit.
The Focus: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 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.” (Colossians 4:2–3)
The Meditation: “Pray . . . that God may open a door for our message.”
Devoted to Prayer
Paul begins with a strong word. We are to devote ourselves to prayer (Colossians 4:2). Devotion is more than an occasional visit. It describes something we keep coming back to because we cannot do without it.
He adds two words that keep prayer healthy. We are to be watchful, which means awake to what God is doing and to what the enemy is doing. And we are to be thankful, which keeps prayer from turning into a list of complaints.
The Door Paul Wanted
Paul wrote this letter as a prisoner. We might expect him to ask the church to pray that his cell door would open. He asks for a different door. He wants God to open a door for the message, so that he can proclaim the mystery of Christ and make it clear (Colossians 4:3–4).
His first concern was not his own comfort. It was that people would hear about Jesus.
God Opens, We Walk Through
Only God can open a human heart or a closed situation. Jesus says to one of His churches that He has placed before them an open door that no one can shut (Revelation 3:8). Prayer asks Him to do it.
Then Paul turns to our part. We are to be wise in the way we act towards people outside the church, and to make the most of every opportunity (Colossians 4:5). Our conversation should be full of grace and seasoned with salt, so that we know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:6). God opens the door, and we walk through it with gracious words.
Pray It Through
Ask for one open door. Pray for a natural opportunity this week to speak about Jesus.
Pray for five people. Write down the names of five people who do not know Christ, and ask God to open their hearts.
Check your words. Ask God to make your speech gracious, online as well as in person.
Prayer for Today
Father, teach me to be devoted to prayer, watchful and thankful. Open a door for the message of Christ in my family, in my workplace and in our community. Give me wisdom with those who do not yet know You, and fill my words with grace. Help me to make the most of every opportunity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Listen and Watch
Pastor Ras shares a short message for Day 13 in the audio and video below.
Keep going
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