"The Kind Of Praying That Pleases God” Series

In our passage for today, Paul seeks to encourage the Colossians about their prayer life. In so doing, he shares with them the characteristics of the prayer life a Christian should devote himself to. This is the kind of praying that is sure to please God.

1. Perceptive praying - v. 2a “being watchful”

Paul tells us that as we pray, we need to be aware of the battle that is around us. Peter also councils us that we have an enemy who, though he is defeated, has not ceased hostilities.

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” - 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

A story is told about how during the days of the cold war, a Russian named Ivanovich visited the Moscow Zoo for the first time. He was given a tour by one of the leaders from the Kremlin. He was amazed to see a display that featured a bear and a lamb in the same age. The display was labeled “Peaceful Coexistence.” His guide explained that peaceful coexistence was one of the blessings that come from living in a communist society. “Of course,” he said, “We have to put a fresh lamb in the cage every morning.”

There is no such thing as peaceful coexistence with our enemy, the devil. So we need to be involved in perceptive praying. For . . .

 “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” - Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)

2. Praise-filled Praying - v. 2b “being . . . Thankful”

Paul tells us that as we pray, we need to be aware of the God that is with us.

“Praise is the vital breath of the soul, without it, the Christian soon turns blue.” - Anonymous

“In our consumerist society, we focus on what we lack, or what other people have that we don’t, whereas gratitude is the feeling of appreciation for what we already have.” - Dr. Neel Burton in Psychology Today

As Christians, though we are in the world, we are not to be of the world, and one of the differences between us, as Christ followers and those who do not know Christ should be an “attitude of gratitude.”

If we are not careful, however, we can fall into the trap of the rest of the world, and as a result of “stinking thinking” end up living with a sour, faultfinding, “woe is me” attitude.

“As a cure for the sour, faultfinding attitude, I recommend the cultivation of the habit of thankfulness. Thanksgiving has great curative powers. A thankful heart cannot be cynical.” - A.W. Tozer

Not only does a conscious effort to give thanks to God for His presence with us as made known by the blessings of life keep us from growing cynical and sour, it also leads us to live victoriously as we are reminded of the God’s constant presence with us. He is the God who is with us.

God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart.” - Izaak Walton

So Paul encourages us to keep our eyes on the Lord and acknowledge His presence in our lives by consciously making thanksgiving a vital part of our prayer life. As we do, we are constantly reminded of what Paul tells us in Romans 8:31:

“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” - Romans 8:31 (NLT)

“Any challenge before you is not equal to the God who is with you.” - Anonymous

3. Purposeful Praying - vs. 3-4

Paul tells us that as we pray, we need to be aware of the task that is before us. We need to make prayer for the advance of the Gospel a part of our regular prayer routine.

A. Pray for open doors - v. 3

Do you realize that your unbelieving family members, co-workers, and neighbors will spend forever suffering in torment away from the presence of God if they don’t embrace Christ? That realization should drive you to your knees to plead, not only with them to believe the gospel, but with God to save their souls.

“Before Jesus gave up His spirit as He hung on the cross, He took time to pray for those who were murdering Him. He prayed, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing’ (Luke 23:34). God began to answer His prayer on the Day of Pentecost as some three thousand people repented and were baptized that day, and there have been countless multitudes that have been saved through the centuries. In response to Jesus’ intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12), God has snatched many souls from eternal death.”