Colossians 4:2-4

²Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ³And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. ⁴Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

Paul, as Calvin declares, “returns to general exhortations, in which we must not expect an exact order, for in that case he would have begun with prayer, but Paul had not an eye to that.” He had mentioned attitude and behavior, as characteristics of spiritual maturity and/or rules for holy living, and now he mentions prayer and witness. As to prayer, he mentions three things: first, devotion, second, watchfulness, and third, thankfulness. So we should pray regularly, continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and be firmly devoted to praying in the Spirit at all times (Ephesians 6:18; Jude 1:20). “Devote” appears to indicate the amount, but here it is better translated as “persist,” or as in the ESV, “continue steadfastly.” And of course, persistence does increase the amount. As we engage in this kind of prayer, we ought to be watchful, not listlessly or in coldness; we must not become fearful or discouraged, and give up (Luke 18:1). Prayer ought to be a struggle, a wrestling with God. And finally, prayer ought to be done in thanksgiving. For amazingly, He hears our prayers and is pleased when we draw near to Him in prayer. Calvin says, “God must be solicited for present necessity in such a way that, in the mean time, we do not forget favors already received. Farther, we ought not to be so importunate as to murmur, and feel offended if God does not immediately gratify our wishes, but must receive contentedly whatever He gives” (Philippians 4:6).

For what are you most thankful? When you pray, what comes first? Is it an earthly request? Or is it something heavenly? The ACTS formula of prayer reveals a good pattern. First comes adoration. We show our desires and attitude are in the heavenly realm, adoring God and His works. Second comes confession, rightly humbling ourselves and revealing that our desires and attitudes and behavior are often not in the right place. Third comes thanksgiving. We ought to be thankful first and foremost for heavenly blessings, things of eternal and lasting nature, rather than merely temporal and earthly things. Finally comes supplication. What should we ask for from God? Heavenly things of course! Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things (earthly necessities) will be added to you (Matthew 6:33).

All of this is from v2, but look now to the powerful v3-4. Paul asks that the Colossians not forget his party. He does not ask for safety or health, but for them to pray that God would open the door for the gospel, and that Paul and those with him may proclaim it clearly (Ephesians 6:19-20). Vincent Cheung says, “We are to be eager to perform the work that God has given us, and this should translate into a desire for opportunities to preach, and then to do it with clarity and boldness.” Calvin says, “He is contented with this one thing, that he may, unconquered and undaunted, persevere in a confession of the gospel; nay more, he fearlessly makes his own life a secondary matter, as compared with the glory of Christ and the spread of the gospel. …It is in no degree easier for us to speak confidently respecting the gospel, than to break through a door that is barred and bolted. For this is truly a divine work, as Christ Himself said, ‘It is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you’ (Matthew 10:20).” Is there any doubt that Paul knew missions would be successful only as God’s people prayed?