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This week’s Abide comes from the passage in the Our Daily Bread devotional for Monday the 15th of July, and our passage is Colossians 4:2-6,12-13.

Together, we’ll be reading through some verses in Colossians chapter 4 that are an exhortation to prayer. Before we begin, let’s take a moment to look at the context of these verses. The book of Colossians is a letter to the church in Colossae from Paul and Timothy, and chapter 4 is part of Paul’s closing remarks and “further instructions”.

We’ll read Colossians 4 verses 2-6, and then we’ll break it apart line by line. Let’s read.

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

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

As Paul has encouraged the church on Colossae to “devote themselves to prayer”, why don’t we do that today? Let’s break the passage down line by line and pray through it together, inviting God to speak to us and move through us as we do.

Let’s start with Colossians 4, verse 2:

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

To devote ourselves to something suggests that it’s of great importance to us. I don’t know about you, but I know I don’t spend as much time talking with God as I’d like to.

And perhaps it’s the Aussie in me, but the call to be “watchful” makes me think of a lifeguard at the beach, scanning the ocean for signs of danger, ready to act at a moment’s notice. What do we need to keep our eyes and ears open for? Finally, Paul encourages the church to be thankful. What are you thankful for today? Let’s pray through those things together now:

Dear God, thank you for meeting me in this space and for hearing my prayer. I’m sorry for the times when I place more importance on other things than on spending time with You. Please help me to have a renewed sense of earnestness and devotion to prayer — remind me of its power.

Your Word says that we should be watchful and expectant, ready to respond to the promptings of Your Spirit and guarding ourselves from the enemy. Would you please give me Your eyes to see things? Help me to have a greater awareness of Your presence in every moment.

And Father, thank you for everything you’ve blessed me with. I’m so grateful for Your provision and the beauty of Your creation. Please help me to go through this week with a posture of gratitude, remembering to thank You for Your goodness and all that You’ve given me.

Now, let’s read verses 3 and 4:

“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 that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.”

According to the World Watch List published by Open Doors, there are over 4,000 Christians currently in prison for their faith, and a staggering 365 million believers around the world suffer high levels of persecution. Let’s pray for them now.

Father, Your Word says “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” I pray now for the millions of believers around the world right now who face persecution for their faith.

Jesus, You know what it is to suffer unjustly. Please bring the persecuted Your comfort and peace, and protect them from those who wish to do them harm. Through their boldness, I pray You would open doors so that more people would hear the good news of Your gospel.

Help me not to overlook the privilege of living in a country where I can freely live out my faith, attend church, and worship You without fearing for my life. Please teach me to live boldly for You, wherever I am.

Let’s pray through verse 5 together now:

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”

Lord, Your Word tells us that if we lack wisdom, we should ask for it and it will be given to us. I ask for that wisdom right now; would you please guide me as I interact with others, especially those outside of the church? Fill me with Your compassion and gentleness so that through me, others will see a glimpse of You.

Finally, let’s close with verse 6, which says:

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Jesus, You showed us how to speak to others with grace and wisdom, speaking the truth and lifting one another up. By Your Spirit, please give me Your words so that I can take every opportunity I’m given to share You with others. When I’m asked difficult questions or I’m challenged about my faith, help me to be courageous, and to share boldly about the hope You’ve given me. Amen.

As we go about our weeks, let’s be challenged by Paul to “devote ourselves to prayer”. Why don’t we pick one friend or family member who we can bring before God in prayer every day this week?