Devoted to Prayer? In Prison?

Colossians 4:2-6

Paul encourages the Colossian church to "devote yourselves to prayer." And Paul writes these words from prison (v. 3)!

Honestly, if I was writing a letter from prison, I don't think I would be focused on prayer.  My plea might include something like "please find a good lawyer, and appeal my case in court.  Get me out of here!"  But the apostle Paul is encouraging this new church to pray that he can still find a way to "proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. (v.3)"

And he also encourages these new Christians on how to interact with those who aren't yet believers:  "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace....so that you may know how to answer everyone. (vs. 5-6)"

So the takeaway from these verses is simple, yet oh so profound:


1. Pray in ALL circumstances  - pray in thankfulness, watching for every opportunity to share Jesus' message of love and forgiveness.  (No excuses, either - Paul focused on prayer in prison - we can pray in the workplace!  at home!  at school!)

2.  Be ready to share Jesus with 'outsiders' - and that 'outsider' could be the barista who hands you your latte, the cashier who bags your groceries, the coworker who complains yet again about her workload, the son who just made (or got cut) from the soccer team, the spouse who received a much-longed-for promotion (or got passed over), the new person sitting in the seat next to you at church, the international student who is your new conversation partner......the list goes on and on - thanks be to God for the many opportunities to serve him!

3.  Be winsome!  One of my favorite words.  Paul says "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt"  The old adage is true that 'you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.' Of course, outsiders aren't going to come to Jesus just because we're nice. But as we are wise toward outsiders and as we bathe our conversation and our actions in prayer, God will advance his kingdom.

Lord, thank you for the privilege of prayer.  My prayers are often weak, self-serving and ineffective.  Help me to pray for opportunities to serve you in what I say and what I do in every occasion.  Amen.