Colossians 4:2-4
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Inward Change with Prayer (outward effect)
Inward Change with Prayer (outward effect)
ILLUST (Keep these in mind through this)
Calling for tickets for a show, concert,
Needed to be persistent (no www, cell phone, etc.), relentless, especially with dial phones
Parallel this to the parable of the unjust judge, , woman is persistent, relentless, her cause is evident
Meeting place
Parents, dropping kids off; or at Six Flags - meet at the fountain
And YOU ARE THERE, it’s important to be
2 Extremes in life
Hidden (prayer) - today’s topic
Outward (active busy life in society) - next week
Prayer - blah, blah, blah; we talk, talk, talk
DEVOTED PRAYER - KEYS
DEVOTED PRAYER - KEYS
Perhaps our most intimate time with God
Paul says, “Devote yourselves to prayer
“confirm steadfast,” fervor, MEAN IT!
Prayer should characterize the church, this church
Devoted prayer is...
1) ALERT/WATCHFUL
1) ALERT/WATCHFUL
Not careless
Not casual
Not mechanical, rote, etc.
“Now I lay me down...” - but kids CAN develop good habits
Alert = “Understand the times” - not isolated
Alert = “Understand the times” - not isolated
Know the needs, issues, etc.
Know life’s circumstances
Alert prayer - purposeful, personal, persistent, powerful
Alert prayer - purposeful, personal, persistent, powerful
Alert is to stand guard, be ready
Always be ready to pray
Always be ready to talk to God
Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.
Devoted prayer shows...
2) THANKFULNESS
2) THANKFULNESS
The verse written literally is “watchful(alert) in thankfulness
Being thankful - the drive for the believer
Being thankful - the drive for the believer
Thankful - good environment for proper, “informed” prayer
Thankful - good environment for proper, “informed” prayer
Paul, here, is in prison, and he provides an excellent example of looking past his circumstances
Finally, devoted prayer is...
3) SPECIFIC
3) SPECIFIC
Here, intercessory, for others
Paul could have prayed for these issues himself, so why ask others?
(not just b/c “when 2 or 3 are gathered...” - wrong context)
(sure, I can pray alone, God’s still there)
“Careful what you pray for...”
Paul repeats the command (request, urging) - “PRAY” - this is important
The Gospel
The Gospel
Paul was consumed by, devoted to, the Gospel
THANKFUL for the Gospel
THANKFUL for the Gospel, not for his own blessing!
The Gospel is at the center of prayer
Specific Prayer - example here
Specific Prayer - example here
a) open doors for the Gospel - opportunities
do WE pray for them?
do WE seek openings
b) clear proclamation
praying that God speaks clearly through me, others
praying that HIS Word is proclaimed - most important part
letting God supply the widsom
no need for ME to muddy things up
OUR SPECIFICS - Prayer bulletin
OUR SPECIFICS - Prayer bulletin
FIRST ask questions
WHY? - We want to talk to God
HOW? - In Jesus’ name (), lifting holy hands ()
WHEN? - Always, whenever ()
WHERE? - Private, corporate, public ( example)
FOR CORRECT “THINGS” -
You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
SO…The Cornerstone Prayer Bulletin
walk through the format
How would you fill it in?
Will you join us?
How will you let God change your prayer life?
This takes about 10-15 minutes to pray through
Challenge - set timer, 5 minutes, pray (seems like a really long time)
POINTS
POINTS
The person of peace, true peace, is a person of prayer
God relentlessly, persistently, pursues us (His Word)
Guess what - need a meeting place?
God is right where He said He’d be!
Always with you
TALK TO HIM
Let HIM be your comfort!
PRAYER WORKS - You with us?
PRAYER WORKS - You with us?