Prayer for those in ministry
A few weeks back I blogged about how Paul prayed for the Church at Colossae and encouraged us to pray likewise for our family, friends and other Christians we know.
But later in this letter Paul asks specifically for prayer for himself. He asks them to pray that
- God would open a door for the word (4v3)
- And that Paul may make clear the mystery of Christ (v3&4)
Paul was asking for the Colossians to pray for doors to open to the gospel and that he would make clear the gospel of Christ. What is interesting is that Paul was in prison for doing just that, proclaiming the gospel, yet was still looking opportunities to proclaim it. Paul was expectant that the opportunities would come and so asked for clarity when they did come. It was not a request just for opportunities, but a request for help in clarity when opportunities where there.
So when praying for those in ministry (missionaries, ministers, church leadership etc) we need to pray for opportunities for them to declare the gospel, but also that they will be able to do so clearly.
And for ourselves also. Do we ask God to give us the opportunity to speak with others, to tell them the gospel, for the clearness in our presentation, that through what we say the Holy Spirit may start a work in that person’s soul?
As we pray for one another pray for those who have been gifted in spreading the gospel, and for those who are working in a less public way ministering to friends and family sometimes unnoticed, that the door would be open for the gospel, and that a clear and faithful message is given to those needy lost souls!
Tim
