By Lori Boyd
I love Paul’s letters. I learn something new every time I read one. I find it amazing that words written by a man hundreds of years ago to struggling churches can still teach and encourage a thirty-eight-year-old mother of three sitting at a kitchen table in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. I am so thankful God gave us the Bible.
Before you delve into Colossians, keep in mind that Paul is in prison at the time he wrote this letter. That way––as he speaks about prayer, rejoicing in suffering, setting your mind on things above, forgiveness—-you may gain greater appreciation for his perspective. It carries more power when a man in chains calls on you to let the peace of God rule in your heart and to be thankful. What an incredible example!
On this occasion of study, God, through Paul, taught me something about opportunity. I read Colossians 4:2-4, which says, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving, meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” I find that I pray frequently that God will help me to be a better Christian, wife, and mother; that He will help me to be a good example to people around me; and that He will help me to make good choices. I recognize the importance of asking for His help in all that I do, but I discovered something else important in Paul’s statement to his brothers and sisters in Colosse. He asked them to pray that God “would open a door.” He prayed for opportunity! His request was that God provide them with a situation where they might be able to speak to others about Christ. I can’t remember ever specifically asking God to present me with an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus…but I will now, thanks to Paul’s nearly 2000-year-old letter!
I believe asking for “open doors” in our personal prayers could be life changing. My only caution is, with the knowledge that “whatsoever you ask for in prayer, believing you might receive,” I need to be ready to enter those doors when they begin to open!
