Prayer in the book of Colossians

Prayer in the book of Colossians

There are numerous themes and concepts throughout Colossians, though the theme of prayer is often a neglected aspect of studying this book.   The theme of prayer in Colossians is dominant throughout, forming the foundation for countless sermons on how, why, and even what to pray for. 

The book of Colossians begins and ends with greetings to fellow believers.  After the introduction, Paul begins by describing his prayers for the Colossians – they always include thanksgiving to God when Paul and Timothy pray for them (1:3). 

Toward the end of the book in chapter 4, Paul clearly describes how the Colossians should pray, as well as what for (4:2).  Two things should be dominant in the way they pray – they should be watchful, and they should be thankful.  Additionally, Paul gives them specific things to pray for.  He requests they pray for him and Timothy so that wide doors would be open for proclaiming the gospel, and that Paul is faithful to preach clearly.  After listing his prayer requests, Paul strongly encourages the Colossians to have wisdom in the way they talk with those outside the Church (4:5-6).

Near the very end of the book, Paul gives a clear example of someone who is watchful in prayer, as he suggested above to the Colossians.  Epaphras (4:12) is a servant of Christ who is described as always wrestling in prayer.  His prayers center around the Colossians, that they would stand firm in the will of God.  He diligently wrestles in prayer that they will be mature and fully assured (4:12).  Paul develops the personal character of Epaphras in the next verse.  It shows he is not some endless prayer warrior spending 20 hours a day weeping before an altar, but rather, in addition to wrestling in prayer he is working hard for the Colossians as well as two other churches.  (4:13).  Paul is ambiguous as to what “working hard” means, but leaves no doubt that Epaphras typifies what many churches so desperately need.

Random Thoughts and Applications

Colossians gives simple mandates and then examples of how, why, and what to pray for.  In any Bible study or sermon on prayer, if it is merely and intellectual call toward more theoretical prayer, our teaching or preaching has failed.  We must not merely tell people they need to pray more, because everyone already knows that.  Instead, we must urge believers to be like Epaphras, to be a diligent wrestling prayer warrior who also works hard.  Prayer must not center around our individual church, but incorporate other churches as Epaphras did. 

It seems that most Americans already have a prayer list, so teaching should not focus on what to pray for at first.  Rather, it should focus on who we pray to, and how to pray.  If we pray with thankful hearts as we are watchful, what we pray for will be shaped out of how we pray.  With a thankful heart, there is no need to pray for more stacks of money, video games, etc., because a thankful heart is a content heart.  With a thankful heart there’s no need to pray for the things of this world, because God has already provided more than enough.

A watchful heart is aware that in church others are watching.  A devoted heart that is watchful knows that only a few things ultimately matter in this life.  When God calls to pray, they stop what they are doing and they pray.  When God is silent and not calling to pray, they still pray.   A watchful devoted prayerful heart knows the enemy is out there, but is more concerned about the Lord than the already-defeated enemy.

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