Persevering in Prayer

 

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 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—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” (Colossians 4:2–4)

We live in a consumer-based economy where we are conditioned to believe that life revolves around us and that the consumer is always right, and if you don't like the service offered here, go somewhere else. This type of thinking has not only affected the way we live our lives, but also the way we treat our spiritual lives.

We often treat our prayers to God in a similar way. We believe we have to present God with everything we want, regardless of what God wants from us. We believe God owes us something, and we pray to be paid for our services.

In our culture, we tend to struggle with prayer. Instead of struggling, we should develop a prayer life focused on the Lord, not on ourselves. In this passage, Paul presents us with several ideas on how we can develop a prayer life focused on the needs of God's Kingdom, not on ourselves.

Have you ever noticed what happens when prayer begins to slip from your daily life? Often, things begin to feel off—our hearts grow restless, our minds unsettled, and a sense of spiritual emptiness creeps in. Prayer is not just a spiritual discipline; it is the lifeline of our relationship with Christ. Through prayer, we speak to our Heavenly Father, bringing Him our hopes, questions, confessions, needs, and gratitude. It is in prayer that we are reminded of who He is—and who we are in Him.

We believe God hears our prayers, even in moments of doubt. And we trust that, in His perfect timing, He answers them. Throughout Scripture, we are not merely encouraged but COMMANDED to be people of prayer. When we prioritize prayer, we place our burdens into God’s capable hands, and in return, we receive His peace. A consistent prayer life keeps us in close communion with God and in step with His will.

Even Jesus made prayer a central part of His life. So impactful was His prayer life that His disciples asked, “Lord, teach us to pray.” If Jesus—the Son of God—needed regular time with the Father, how much more do we?

In Colossians 4, the apostle Paul, writing from prison, urges the believers in Colossae to be steadfast in prayer. Notice his request: he doesn’t ask them to pray for his release. Instead, he asks them to pray “that God may open a door” for the gospel to be proclaimed. Paul’s focus, even in chains, was on spreading the message of Christ. His request reveals a heart that prioritized the mission of God over personal comfort.

When was the last time you asked God to use you to share His message? When did you last pray for your church to be a light in the community, boldly proclaiming salvation in Christ?  A life marked by prayer is a life aligned with God’s purposes. As we persevere in prayer—watchful and thankful—God will use us to open doors, change lives, and bring His kingdom near.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may the Lord use these words to renew your spirit.

Dr. Dimas Castillo