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

Keep Asking, Keep Searching, Keep Knocking

Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:7–11

This teaching from Jesus tackles a common and uncomfortable truth about prayer: many of us don’t pray regularly, not because we don’t know how, but because deep down, we’re unsure it makes a difference. We may say we believe in prayer, but our lack of consistency reveals doubts. Jesus speaks directly to this in Matthew 7:7–11, offering encouragement and correction in how we approach God in prayer.

The passage contains a powerful promise: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened." This seems straightforward, but the promise is often misunderstood. It’s not saying that persistent prayer guarantees you’ll get whatever you want. Instead, it reveals important truths about the nature of prayer and the God to whom we pray. First, we must understand that this promise is specifically for believers who have a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is the Creator of all, but He is only a Father to those who are born again.

From this foundation, the passage explores three key qualities of effective prayer: confidence, persistence, and boldness.

1. We Should Pray with Confidence

Jesus compares God to a loving parent. If earthly parents, despite their flaws, give good things to their children, how much more will God, who is perfect, give good gifts to His children? This means we can approach Him confidently, knowing three things: First, His Love: Just as children trust their parents’ desire to provide for them, we can trust God's heart. He wants to meet our needs—not because we’ve earned it, but because He loves us. Second, His Ability: Nothing is too hard for God. Whether we need healing, guidance, strength to overcome sin, or help in hardship, He is more than capable of answering. He is the right one to turn to. Thirdly, His Kindness: God will not give us something harmful, even if we ask for it sincerely. Just as a parent wouldn’t give their child a snake when they ask for a fish, God filters our requests through His perfect wisdom. Sometimes His answer is “no” because what we want would hurt us. James 4:2–3 reminds us that selfish motives can hinder our prayers.

2. We Should Pray Persistently

Jesus’ command to keep asking, seeking, and knocking emphasizes persistence. But persistence is not repetition. It’s not about saying the same thing over and over as if God needs convincing or can be manipulated. Persistent prayer reflects a sincere heart continually turning to God, submitting requests while trusting His will.

So, what should we be seeking, asking, and knocking for? The Westminster Shorter Catechism offers a definition: “Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to His will...” True prayer is not about pushing our will onto God but aligning our desires with His. It’s saying, “Here is what I want, Lord, but I trust Your wisdom more than my own. If this is not good for me, help me want what You want.”

This kind of prayer is powerful—it is honest, humble, and God-centered.

3. We Should Pray with Boldness

The passage reminds us that: We don’t pray extra because we don’t believe it will change anything. But that’s a foolish conclusion. Scripture shows us that God listens, cares, and responds. Still, the question remains: Why do so many prayers seem unanswered? There are several reasons: First, God has said “no,” not “nothing.” Sometimes, He answers differently than we hoped. Second, the timing isn’t right. God’s plans unfold in ways we cannot always see immediately.

Thirdly, God is waiting on us. We might be the answer to our own prayer—God has placed us in situations where He wants to work *through* us. Fourthly, we’re not praying for anything specific. Vague prayers like “bless my marriage” or “help our church” lack clarity. Specific prayers—like asking for better communication, deeper connection, or effective outreach—allow us to see God’s hand more clearly.

Conclusion: Growing in Prayer

Jesus presents prayer as simple: ask, seek, knock. But behind that simplicity lies a deep truth. Effective prayer requires knowledge of God’s will (through Scripture), faith in His power, and a sincere desire for His way above our own.

To deepen our prayer life, this passage encourages setting aside focused time, being specific in requests, maintaining the right attitude, and trusting the Holy Spirit to guide and correct our prayers. We’re reminded that God is more willing to respond than we are to ask.

Finally, imagine what God could do through us—through our church, our relationships, our mission—*if only we would ask*.

May God bless you, and keep you, and may these words help you renew your spirit.

Pastor Dimas