Colossians 4:2-6

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. ³ Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. ⁴ Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

 ⁵ Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. ⁶ Let your conversation be gracious and attractive^[a] so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Prayer delights God:

The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright. Proverbs 15:8

God is seated at His throne listening to his children (us) praying to him. I believe, if we could see Him, He'd be smiling as He delights Himself in our prayers. God is looking out for the prayer of a righteous man (us, since we're made righteous through the Blood of Christ!)

Since prayer delights God, let us talk to God wherever we are, because God is interested in it, no matter how boring or little the issue may be to us. We can be assured that God always listens and he understands our circumstance. Like a loving Father, God is delighted when we speak and He takes pleasure in His children. 

Prayer is a Privilege.

Everyone pray. However, prayer is a privilege the the people of God. Why should we find it a chore to do our daily devotionals to God? In fact, we should do all we can to pray and speak to God. (No matter how tired we are.)

How to Pray?

We should all devote ourselves in prayer. (root word of devote: Be strong) Prayer should not be something that we do during a crisis or out of desperation. Even earthly relationships require communication to stand strong, let alone our relationship with our Father in Heaven? Without prayer, our relationship with God would be at the stage where 'we don't  talk anymore'. If that happens, our relationship with God would be at the pits.

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

Always remember that the devil knows the power of prayer and is afraid of it. Therefore, he'll do all he can to make us sleepy or unfocused whenever we try to pray.

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1

Never lose heart,

Pray without ceasing 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Even though it may seem like nothing is happening, we should have Faith and trust in God, for we know He hears our prayers! 

Then, be like Meerkats!

We need to be alert and watchful for the spiritual attacks in all directions and ways. The devil is on the watch for imitators of Christ (us) and strives to bring them down. Be alert for our own spiritual life, and pray against temptations and bad habits. At the same time, watch out for our fellow brother in Christ, always giving support to one another. Lastly, watch out for the world and its condonation of laws that are not of the Word.
Finally, Pray with thanksgiving in all circumstances. Amidst exams, amidst the stress we face at work, we ought to be thankful; thankful for education, thankful for a stable income.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus 1 Thessalonians 5:18

In addition,  being thankful and contented makes our heart open for the spirit:

Never worry about anything. Instead, in every situation let your petitions be made known to God through prayers and requests, with thanksgiving. Philippians 4:6

What can we pray about?

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— Colossians 4:3

We can spread God's word if the heart of the recipient is hardened. It is impossible to soften and break the hearts of others spiritually by our own strength. But with Man, this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible! (Matt 19:26) Only by the power of His holy spirit, can we touch the hearts of others.


On a sidenote, we should know how to proclaim the word of God clearly and know how to share the Gospel:
4 spiritual laws:
1. God loves you and have a wonderful plan for your life. (John 3:16, John 10:10)
2. Man is sinful and separated from God. (Romans 3:23)
3. Jesus is God's provision for man's sin.
4. We need to receive Jesus in our life as savior and Lord.
Besides saying this to others, we should remind ourselves of this good news every morning, and give thanks to God for Jesus :)


Watch out for our conduct and our actions.
Be wise in the way we live our lives.

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Colossians 4:5

If time is currency, what would you spend it on? If you had to pay 1 million dollars for 1 hour of your life, (thank God we don't have to) would you spend it on things that are temporal, or things that actually matter for eternity?

Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:6

Know how to apply our knowledge of God's word. Live it out loud, and not keep it within your mind! Is your knowledge of God's word mind-knowledge or heart-knowledge? Can other's see God's word through you? Are you living it out? 

and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
(1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 ESV)

People have higher standards for Christians and are constantly looking at us and watching our every behaviour. Let people see our actions and glorify the name of our Father who is in Heaven!

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Futhermore, be reminded that everyone is a child of God, that we should appreciate each person for who they are. Always be polite and say a word of thanks to others for helping us out. (even to the auntie at the Kopitiam! -- you wouldn't know the difference it makes to her day!)

Every moment is an opportunity to honor God. 

Watch how we respond to things and circumstance, 

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:14

Watch our heart, watch our conduct, watch our lives, watch our prayers. Be alert!

Have a good week!