Pray for me and I’ll pray for you
Pray that we will keep the common ground
Won’t you pray for me and I’ll pray for you
And one day love will bring us back around
Again

(Pray For Me, By Michael W Smith)

One of the most touching, heartfelt words of Paul’s letters to his dear friends, the Colossians are at the end of this chapter.  If you look closely, the “open door” prayer from Paul sums up the work as reconcilers guided by God’s Holy Spirit.  It gives us the words to pray for ourselves and for others as we help people find their way to believe in Jesus who reconciles (reconnects) them to God.

PRAY FOR ME

“Pray diligently with eyes wide open in gratitude,” writes Paul to his brothers and sisters in Christ.  Pray for me while I sit in this jail cell.  Notice he doesn’t ask that the doors of the jail cell be opened but that God will open the doors of opportunity to tell the story of Jesus, His love, and His redemption provided for all no matter what his circumstances!  Pray that “I’ll be able to make Christ plain”—easy for listeners to understand and believe in Jesus.  Paul asks nothing by prayer to God on his behalf as he prays for them, asking God to bless the ones praying! 

I’M PRAYING FOR YOU

Paul prayers for his friends; “Make the most of every opportunity.” “Be gracious.” “Bring out the best in others” when you speak.  Lift people up, don’t bring them down.  Like a parent who loves their children dearly, Paul encourages them to be kind and gracious when telling the story of our compassionate Savior, Jesus.

What a joy to know people are praying for you as diligently as you are praying for them!  Praying to God for each other is the “common ground” in Christ we all share!  Praying is our communion with God who bends down to listen to every word on our lips.  God not only hears our prayers for others; He delights in seeing our hearts of thanksgiving for the people He has placed in our lives.  God doesn’t miss a trick; He puts people in our lives on purpose for His purpose—that we may encourage each other on the brief journey here on earth.  We need each other.  We need the prayers of each other.  Paul gives us the words to pray as our example.

Colossians 4, The Message

And masters, treat your servants considerately. Be fair with them. Don’t forget for a minute that you, too, serve a Master—God in heaven.

Pray for Open Doors

^2-4 Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don’t forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I’m locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth I’ll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.

^5-6 Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.

^7-9 My good friend Tychicus will tell you all about me. He’s a trusted minister and companion in the service of the Master. I’ve sent him to you so that you would know how things are with us, and so he could encourage you in your faith. And I’ve sent Onesimus with him. Onesimus is one of you, and has become such a trusted and dear brother! Together they’ll bring you up-to-date on everything that has been going on here.

^10-11 Aristarchus, who is in jail here with me, sends greetings; also Mark, cousin of Barnabas (you received a letter regarding him; if he shows up, welcome him); and also Jesus, the one they call Justus. These are the only ones left from the old crowd who have stuck with me in working for God’s kingdom. Don’t think they haven’t been a big help!

^12-13 Epaphras, who is one of you, says hello. What a trooper he has been! He’s been tireless in his prayers for you, praying that you’ll stand firm, mature and confident in everything God wants you to do. I’ve watched him closely, and can report on how hard he has worked for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

¹⁴ Luke, good friend and physician, and Demas both send greetings.

¹⁵ Say hello to our friends in Laodicea; also to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.

¹⁶ After this letter has been read to you, make sure it gets read also in Laodicea. And get the letter that went to Laodicea and have it read to you.

¹⁷ And, oh, yes, tell Archippus, “Do your best in the job you received from the Master. Do your very best.”

¹⁸ I’m signing off in my own handwriting—Paul. Remember to pray for me in this jail. Grace be with you.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

PRAY!  Stay alert and pray for each other to remain firmly committed to Jesus.

Prayer is our greatest weapon seeking God’s unlimited power against our real Enemy of limited power.  The fallen angel, Satan is the one who hates God/Jesus/Holy Spirit.  He is the distractor, deceiver, causing damage to our hearts, minds, and souls.  But he cannot remove God’s love for us. 

The enemy consistently presents thoughts and feelings to us that oppose all who God is to us.  Don’t fall for this evil.  Instead, fall on your knees before God!  Do what the Enemy hates most of all—Believers on their knees in humbled gratefulness to God, crying out to God in Jesus Name.  When we do this act of worship, seeking God first in our lives—the devil wants nothing to do with that! Just as evil tempted Jesus, he and his demons of mass destruction will tempt us. 

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV

I’m praying for you…

Pray for me…

Pray as I continue to write the story of Jesus, led by His Holy Spirit, to draw others to God’s Daily Manna of nourishment found in His Word!  Pray that what is written helps the broken be healed by God’s in Jesus Name and gives encouragement in ways that bring out God’s best in all who read His Word.

Imagine an army of friends praying for you right now.  Dear friends who are reading this right now—I’m praying for you!  I thank God for you!  I relish your comments that tell me you understand what God is saying and are encouraged!  I pray God rich blessing of wisdom, power, strength and joy that is renewed daily by Him.  I pray that whatever you’re going through right now that you know God is there going through it with you, helping you get to the other side.

Lord,

I thank God for you, for you dear Jesus who was sent to save me and for Your Holy Spirit who helps me to stay on your path of all that is right and good for me. I thank you for picking me back up when I stumble or fall on your narrow path.  Thank you for all you have done, are doing and will do in my life.  I pray for open doors to tell your story.  I pray for your wisdom and words with every opportunity is given to speak of you.  I pray your encouragement for all the readers of our Daily Manna that you provide for us each day.  Cleans our hearts, renew our minds, refresh our souls with your tender mercies, and restore the joy and peace of you in us and us in you.  We need you every hour of every day—so we pray without ceasing for your help.

In Jesus Name, Amen