Colossians 4:2-4
GET THIS: Prayer is always essential, never wasted, and a constant growth point. And by prayer, the kingdom of God advances in and through you and others. So might we be people who pray like it actually matters.
“There is no way that Christians, in a private capacity, can do so much to promote the work of God and advance the kingdom of Christ as by prayer.” —Jonathan Edwards
Don’t Stop Praying! [v2]
See Colossians 4:2
1. steadfast “attach yourself to prayer and don’t let go! Busy yourself with prayer faithfully.” See Luke 11:5-10
2. watchfulness posture of constant alertness: head on a swivel: “what can I leverage the cosmic and supernatural power of prayer for today… right now?!”
3. thankfulness Posture of receiving what cannot be earned or achieved.
Might we grow to see prayer as sitting at the feet of Jesus, in the beautiful presence of God and constantly leveraging our status as Sons of God: asking Him to do what makes Him truly happy: to give us the Kingdom!
NOTE: a few reasons why prayer is so valuable:
Prayer produces humility not self-promotion. (It’s self-less)
Prayer prioritizes patience over results. (It’s slow – can be seen as counterproductive)
Prayer evidences dependency instead of self-sufficiency. (It’s surrender of control – vulnerability)
Prayer is about presence not performance. (it’s counterintuitive to the Martha’s in the room – do LESS better)
Pray For Our Leaders [v3-4]
See Colossians 4:3-4
Pray that God would make our leaders wise beyond what is naturally possible to bring the gospel to bear with clarity through word and deed. That the gospel would lead each of us and all of us… more on this in a second.
If you’re not a Christian: …this is the first prayer you should pray. See Romans 10:13 … Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.
If you are a Christian…
1. Just Pray
Privately: (set aside time, make a plan, if you need resources, talk to me) and (pray as ongoing conversation) (always “thy kingdom come”)
Communally: at community group and/or at summer prayer meetings (always “thy kingdom come”)
2. Pray for Others
Pray for our leaders (list printed out).
Pray for each other
Pray for our partners
Take Time To Reflect
(1) What are 2-3 things that you’d love to see happen in yours or your family’s lives? Are you praying for those things with a posture of “thy kingdom come”?
(2) What are 2-3 things you’d like to see happen in and through Mercy Village? Are you praying for those things with a posture of “thy kingdom come”?
(3) Who will you pray for this week? Choose one leader of Mercy Village. One person from the church family. And one of our partners in ministry. Write down those names!
GET THIS: Prayer is always essential, never wasted, and a constant growth point. And by prayer, the kingdom of God advances in and through you and others. So might we be people who pray like it actually matters.