Praying For Gospel Penetration by Dudley Hall

"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 4:3-4(ESV)

We get to participate in the greatest project the earth has ever known. God himself has given us the assignment of taking the gospel to every place. It has the power to transform people and cultures. It is not only addressed to those who want to go to heaven when they die. It promises the restoration of all things which were negatively affected by the intrusion of sin. The gospel is the hope of international peace. It is the hope of economic stability. It is the hope of reconciliation between God and man--as well as between man and man. Nothing being done in government or science or social restructuring even comes close to the importance of proclaiming the gospel.

There is a problem. Much of the church does not believe this. If we should eavesdrop on the prayers of American church members, how much would we hear of praying for the success of the gospel? Are not most of our prayers centered on our desires for personal welfare? We even pray for our government officials to make the right decisions so we can live peaceably (and we should), but little mention is made of praying for an open door for the gospel to have an opportunity to affect situations. Some of us were trained to pray for missionaries, but we usually conclude that duty with a cursory: "And Lord bless the missionaries around the world."

Paul was in prison because he proclaimed a gospel that confronted his culture. It was radical. When embraced, it changed the culture. It upset things. He was more interested in the gospel having an open door for effectiveness than having an open door to the prison he occupied. In prison or out he would be doing the same thing. He had been captured by the message that the resurrected Christ could and would transform everything. Nothing else mattered. If the gospel is the only hope, then why not put everything possible into getting it out into the society.

He was convinced that prayer and proclamation went hand in hand. Sure God could have immediately enforced the judgment settled at the cross on the whole world. But he chose to give us the privilege of partnering with him to enforce the victory over sin, death, and hell. Paul believed that praying was necessary and effective in getting the job done. He was not as interested in marketing his ministry as in praying for the open door of opportunity of the gospel.

This is what new covenant people do. They participate in changing the world by praying as specifically as possible for the word to be preached, for the mystery of Christ to be explained.

Will you join me in this privilege? Please add me to your "missionary list." The success of the preaching relates to the sincerity of the praying.

New Creation Praying by Dudley Hall

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

Colossians 4:2 (ESV)


We are examining the benefits of living in the new creation as described by Paul to the believers in Colossae. There is a distinct difference in the way unbelievers and those who are "in Christ " pray. The old creation perspective sees prayer as burdensome, at best. But for those who know Christ personally and understand a little of what it means to be God's sons on earth, prayer is a pleasant privilege.

Three words describe believer's prayer: faithful, watchful, and thankful. First, we are to be faithful and persistent in our prayers. God does not always answer the way we expect or in our timing. He seems to employ delay for the purpose of weaning us from our proclivity to control. He refuses to be reduced to the results of a formula. He will not allow us to define him as a vending machine waiting for us to insert the proper coin. He is more desirous of blessing us than we are of being blessed, but he insists on personal involvement and divine perspective. He wants to strengthen our relationship with him and he wants to open our eyes wider to a bigger mission than our own comfort and success.

He often waits as we pray because he likes to see us refine our own request. We impulsively request deliverance from pain and persecution immediately. He waits as we slowly begin to see how what was once thought trouble is now a blessing, and our requests change. At one time if God had given me the blank check to heaven and I could have asked for anything, I would have asked for good health, good education, good job, and good family. I figured I could take it from there and make a success in this world. He had higher blessings in store for me. He wanted to open my eyes to: forgiveness of sin, relationship to God through Jesus Christ, and the inheritance made real by the Holy Spirit. I am so glad he didn't allow me to settle for my limited and meager requests.

Secondly, new creation praying is watchful. That means we are paying attention to the many ways God answers as well as seeing clearly the issues we should be praying about. God is so anxious for us to partner with him; he gives us clues as to what to ask. Often, we are so panicky we can't see the clues. We are to watch and pray. Someone said that meant we are to pray with our eyes open. Maybe, but it sure means to pray with our spiritual eyes open. God will guide our praying, as well as grant our request, as we refuse to quit and purpose to believe.

Thirdly, we pray thankfully. We approach prayer, even before the request is made, with gratitude. We are grateful that God cares. We are thankful that he has made reconciliation possible. We are grateful that he has given us the name of Christ as our introduction and authority. We are thankful he has granted us the role of managing his earth with the promise of giving us the wisdom needed when we ask. We are grateful that he will take our bumbling prayers and answer them in a way that blesses us beyond our ability to petition.

Pray For God's Grace To Fortify You Against Everything Evil: Matthew Henry

Pray for God's Grace to Fortify you Against Everything Evil

I must pray for the grace of God, and all the kind and powerful influences and operations of that grace.

I draw near to the throne of grace, that I may receive not only mercy to pardon, but grace to help in every time of need: Hebrews 4:16(ESV) grace for seasonable help.

From the fullness that is in Jesus Christ (in whom all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell), Colossians 1:19(ESV) let me receive, grace upon grace. John 1:16(ESV)


I must pray for grace to fortify myself against every evil thought, word, and work. Having been earnest for the removing of the guilt of sin, that I may not die for it as a crime, I must be no less earnest for the breaking of the power of sin, that I may not die by it as a disease, but that it may be mortified in me.

O let no sin have dominion over me, because I am not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14(ESV)

Let the flesh be crucified in me, with its passions and desires, Galatians 5:24(ESV) that walking in the Spirit, I may not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16(ESV)

Let my old self be crucified with Christ that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that I may no longer be enslaved to sin. Romans 6:6(ESV) And let not sin reign in my mortal body (in my immortal soul), to make me obey its passions, Romans 6:12(ESV) but having been set free from sin, let me become a slave of righteousness. Romans 6:18(ESV)

Let the law of the Spirit of life set me free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2(ESV)

Give me grace to put off my old self, which is corrupt through deceitful desires, Ephesians 4:22(ESV) and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24(ESV)

Let the world be crucified to me, and I to the world, by the cross of Christ. Galatians 6:14(ESV)