Prayer Focus: Open Doors
Reading: Colossians 4:2-6
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 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— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Colossians 4:2-6 (ESV)
Comments
Our devotions shift from the H in H-O-P-E which was healing to the O representing Open doors. The Colossian’s passage communities the heart of this part of our Pray Hope over Houston initiative perfectly well. Note Paul’s first thought in relation to opportunities to speak of the good news of Jesus was the importance of prayer. God in his sovereignty has elected to move in response to prayer.
Paul’s “evangelistic” prayer almost always centered around two things: boldness and clarity. First, opportunity then boldness then clarity.
Finally, note in verse 5 that Paul challenges the believers to have a gracious and winsome attitude toward those outside the faith. Our attitude is not to be adversarial but loving. Even when faced with opposition. Each discussion with someone who is not yet a believer in Jesus will have its own unique expressions so we need to pray for the Spirit’s leading to answer the questions they ask or the objections they have. Our learning will only take us so far – the Spirit is the one who convicts. This is all to be done in a gracious spirit.
As we pray, let us be willing to pray for the same opportunities and clarity, for others and for ourselves.
Prayer Points:
(1) Lord, during these uncertain days, we pray for open doors in conversations and opportunities to share the love of Jesus.
(2) Lord, I pray for my family, my workplace, my friends and my community. May you open doors in conversations to speak of you. May hearts that have been closed to the Gospel be open to the things of God in these days. May I have opportunities to share your love.
