Join the Team • Devotion #3: Steadfast in Prayer
Pastor Noble Baird
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 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 – that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” Colossians 4:2-4
At our Holly location, we began a time for “Prayer with Pastor” at 10:00 AM every Sunday since September of 2022. There are many things that I have had the privilege to see and be a part of during my time in ministry, but this one really took me by surprise. To see a group of 15-40 people come together every Sunday morning before the gathering for one thing – prayer is humbling. Prayer is not only foundational to our walk and relationship with Christ, it is essential! If you have not already prayed today, stop right now. Yes, literally stop reading this and pray.
Paul finishes up his letter to the church in Colossae, I believe intentionally, with a call to prayer. He writes in Colossians 4:2-4, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 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.” I love how Paul does not simply say pray, he calls us to be steadfast in our prayer with the Lord. We see this word used continually throughout the Word of God because it is truly a reminder that our walk with the Lord must be one of intentional endurance that does not cease or waiver. Not only are we called to be steadfast in our prayers, but we are called to be thankful. Oftentimes, we can find ourselves in a place of praying situationally. Prayer is used for times of need, distress, confusion, or hurt. Whereas Paul’s closing remarks are to be watchful in our prayers to keep thanksgiving as a crucial part of our prayer lives.
After that, Paul takes the opportunity to ask for prayer for Timothy and him. I love this because this is what we as followers of Christ, brothers and sisters in the Lord, are called to do – pray for one another! This is why I love our prayer time before every gathering in Holly so much. It is family coming together in Christ, to thank Him for all He has done, to pray for our gathering that the Lord be glorified, and to pray for one another. It is my hope that we as a church, as His body, would be steadfast in our prayers, that we would continually thank Him in all circumstances, and that we would always be praying for and seeking opportunities to pray for one another!