By Mark W. Christy, PhD
In Colossians 3:5-4:1, Paul addresses the qualities of a born-again, Spirit-filled believer followed by a discussion of his/her relationships. In Colossians 4:2-6, Paul gives instructions on how believers are to pray for and converse with non-believers.
First, Paul discusses the need for persevering in prayer (v.2). In his many epistles, Paul constantly advocates dedicated, steadfast, and persistent praying. He tells believers to be “devoted to pray” (Rom 12:12), “pray at all times” (Eph 6:18), and “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17).[i] When Paul directs believers towards a constancy in prayer, he is not suggesting that they literally pray at all times, for he himself, not to mention Jesus as well, certainly did not only pray. Further evidence for this can be drawn from Colossians 1:9 where Paul commends the faith of the Colossians believers and says, “since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you.” Here, Paul must be referring to regular and not unceasing prayer. If he had of been devoted to unceasing prayer in a literal manner, he would not have been able to draft his letter to these faithful saints.
Since Paul failed to pray at all times, how is one to understand his teaching on prayer in the aforementioned discussion. Essentially, prayer is a demonstration of the strength of one’s personal relationship with the Lord and a display of the power that arises from such a relationship (cf. Eph 6:18). In faithful prayer, believers call on the God they have carefully learned to relate to by the indwelling of the Spirit and their growing renewal by the same Spirit as they continue to feed upon God’s Word. As believers develop this relationship, they prayerfully confess their sins, praise God, and call on Christ to intercede on their behalf while they intercede for each other (Dan 9:20; Acts 16:25; Heb 4:15-16; James 5:16). If one looks to the Psalmist, one learns that communication with God includes many forms of personal discourse even beyond those just listed.
As a personal exercise, prayer becomes more than directed communication with God over a set period of time. Rather, it becomes a way of life whereby the believer engages in ongoing personal communication with the Lord. As their faith (informed by the Word of God) grows, they more and more relate their experiences to the Lord’s sovereign presence in their lives. This sort of personal persistence in pray is the natural by-product of any healthy relationship.
To remain persistent and avoid spiritual lethargy, believers must follow Paul’s directive to remain “alert” in their prayers (Col 4:2). Though made new by the washing, rebirth and the indwelling of the Spirit, Christians continue to struggle with all kinds of trials, tribulations, and temptations. Resilience in prayer is fundamentally necessary if they are to victoriously overcome these tests of their faith. Such prayers, as Paul says, must be made not only for the person who is praying but also for one’s fellow believers who are engaged in the battle against the flesh and the dark forces of this present world (Col 4:3).[ii]
As one grows in the grace and knowledge of God, their prayer life will increasingly emit a boldness which arises from the growing strength of a right relationship to God. With such boldness, Paul calls for prayer particularly in regard for opportunities to proclaim the gospel to non-believers (Col 4:3). Throughout Paul’s ministry, he suffered all kinds of perils, and yet his prayers always seem to focus on others. While writing to the Colossians, Paul was suffering in prison and yet still demonstrates his primary concern was for those who would otherwise perish and suffer eternal damnation if they fail to hear and respond to the gospel he was called to proclaim (Col 4:18).
Perhaps it is time for faithful believers to focus less on their own struggles and take Paul’s example in praying with wholehearted persistence for those who have yet to receive the gospel. Perhaps it is time for God’s people to move beyond their worldly desires for temporal comfort and allow themselves to become passionate for those who have yet to receive eternal comfort. Finally, perhaps it is time for God’s people to devote themselves to significant study of God’s word so that their personal prayer lives will exhibit the sort of boldness and power that emanates from the life of Paul and is reflected his deep concern for the lost.
[i]All Scripture references are taken from NASB1995.
[ii]In this verse, Paul Himself asked for the prayers of Colossians on his behalf and that of his ministry team.