Colossians 4:1-4 - Watch and Pray

Today, Sunday June 20 Watch and Pray Colossians 4:1-4 “Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. 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.” In this last chapter of the book of Colossians, the Apostle Paul is continuing to make his applications on how Christ is to be preeminent in our lives. Remember Paul is writing this letter while he is a prisoner in Rome. But being a prisoner did not stop him from bearing witness for Christ. In these opening verses, he tell us how we can be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ. A powerful witness for Christ to those around us, begins with a personal, private and consistent prayer life. If you become burdened for the lost souls around you that are perishing without hope, and you begin to have a desire to share with them what you found in Jesus, I can assure you that the devil will take notice of you and do everything he can to discourage and defeat you. Remember what Jesus said to His disciple the night before His crucifixion in the Garden of Gethsemane. He told them to “Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation, for the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38) To be “watchful” means to be alert to the things that might hinder you from being an effective witness for Jesus Christ. Our spirits are willing to serve but our old flesh is so weak it might fall for the temptations that the devil will put in our paths. That’s why Peter said, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9) Peter had firsthand experience of sleeping when he should have been praying and when the temptation came, he was weak and denied the Lord three times. How is your prayer life? Your time of communing with the Lord?  My friend, if we really realize the spiritual warfare going on around us, and was alert to it, we would be desperately crying out to our Lord for grace and strength to stand strong! Today, be sure to “Watch and Pray!” God bless!