Colossians 4:2-4

Duty of Prayer - 4:2-4

2Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

Now Paul moves to some other duties that need some attention. Prayer. NIV "devote yourselves to prayer" Phillips "maintain the habit of prayer" Vine "continue - to be strong towards, to endure in, to be continually steadfast with a person or thing" Vincent "compare Acts 2:42; Acts 2:46; Acts 6:4; Romans 12:12; Romans 13:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 "

Jesus taught a parable on the importance of prayer. (Luke 18:1) In the Christian's armor of Ephesians 6:1-24 there is a secret weapon - prayer. If you leave this part of your protection at home, you will lack the power to stand throughout the battle.

We must not just keep doing it. We must be vigilant in it. SEV "be alert" NEB "with mind awake" We must keep alert and awake. Vine "keeping awake, spiritual alertness" As we pray for opportunities, we must be alert as God gives them to us. When you pray, it is your duty to remain alert to the ways that God has to answer your request. Don't limit how God can answer prayer.

2 - Keep on praying. Remain alert to God's answer and be grateful.

3meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,

While you are praying, remember Paul and those with him. Paul requests - not to be free from his prison, but to have opportunity to preach and teach.

Phillips "include us in your prayers" Paul often requested the prayers of those to whom he wrote. We need to learn to request the prayers of our brethren. We also need to learn to be specific in what we need in those prayers.

God can open doors. He can close windows. He can "guard, guide and direct us" in answer to our prayers. We must be alert to the open doors. The "open door" here is a metaphor for opportunities to preach the gospel.

Paul wants to reveal what has been a mystery. Jews and Gentiles are welcome in the kingdom of God. See Colossians 1:26-27.

Paul alludes to his being in prison. Notice, the prayer he requests is not for his release. It is for opportunities to preach and teach. Colossians is one of the "prison epistles" because these were letters written near the end of Paul's life from his imprisonment in Rome.

The prison epistles are full of hope, joy, gratitude, assurance and encouragement. Prison was not a place for Paul to feel sorry for himself and have a pity party. It was an open invitation to preach to others.

3 - Pray for us. Pray specifically that God will open doors so that the message of salvation can be proclaimed. This is why I am in prison.

4that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

SEB "make the message clear" The word "manifest" means "open to light, visible, uncover, lay bare, reveal" (Vine) Our goal is to make it so plain that it can not be misunderstood. Don't try to be cute or too fancy in teaching the gospel. "The wayfaring man, though fools, shall not err therein" (Isaiah 35:8)

We know we ought to speak. We know what to speak. We know what needs to be said. What we lack is the courage to speak.

Notice that Paul is not generic (Pray for us) but is very specific in what they should pray for. Paul requested that they pray for:

God to open doors of opportunity.

Have opportunities to speak.

Speak clearly so all can understand.

Courage to do what he knew was his duty.

4 - Pray that I can make the message plain. It is my duty and I want to continue in it.