Help QuickNav Adv. Options
KJV

KJV

Click to Change

Return to Top

Return to Top

Printer Icon

Print

Prior Book Prior Section Back to Commentaries Author Bio & Contents Next Section Next Book
Cite Print
The Blue Letter Bible
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources

Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for Colossians 4:2-6

Choose a new font size and typeface
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources
"PRAYER"
I. HOW WE ARE TO PRAY.
A. "Continue steadfastly."
1. No one has ever become earnest in prayer but what they have...
2. Why are we to persist in prayer?
a. Why can't we just pray once?
b. Doesn't it show a lack of faith to pray more than once?
c. Jesus spoke two parables that related to persistency in prayer.
1. Unjust judge.
2. Neighbor at midnight.
3. Do we seek to persuade God or change God's mind?
a. Prayer does not change the purposes of God.
1. This is never the intent of prayer.
2. Never to accomplish our purpose.
3. Every good and right thing you ever prayed for God had already intended to give.
b. Prayer does change the action of God.
1. He will not violate our will.
2. It opens the door to do those things He desires to do.
4. Some answers come immediately.
a. Elleaser, "While I was yet praying..."
5. Other times it may take years.
a. Does this mean that God doesn't want to do it?
b. He is not ready to do it yet.
c. Apostles in Acts 1:14 (for 10 days)
6. Prayer is an open line of communion with God.
B. "And watch" stay awake.
1. Jesus said to disciples "could you not watch with Me, one hour" (same Greek verb..
2. I believe God wants our minds sharp and alert when we talk with Him.
3. Sometimes our position in prayer tends towards drowsiness.
a. You might try sitting in a chair.
b. Going for a walk.
c. If you pray aloud your thoughts have less tendency to wander.
C. "With thanksgiving."
1. So much of our prayer is personal petition.
a. This is necessary and not wrong so long as we balance it out with thanksgiving.
b. In the Psalms we see the beautiful balance.
II. WHAT TO PRAY FOR.
A. Continue steadfastly.
1. How important to pray for the minister.
B. What to pray.
1. "God would open a door of utterance."
a. Paul was in prison at this point, "open the doors of prison.
1. Liberty to proclaim the truth.
God help me to be a:
Dumb minister - Saying nothing.
Fantastic minister - Speaking only pleasing and exciting.
Idle minister - Never preaching God's counsels.
Cold minister - Unresponsive to people's needs but a faithful minister speaking the mysteries of Christ.
Sermon Notes for Colossians 4:2 ← Prior Section
Sermon Notes for Colossians 4:12 Next Section →
Sermon Notes for Philippians 1 ← Prior Book
Sermon Notes for 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Next Book →
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources
← Back to all Commentaries
BLB Searches
Search the Bible
KJV
  [?]

Advanced Options

Other Searches

Multi-Verse Retrieval
x
KJV
Daily Devotionals
x

Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness.

Daily Bible Reading Plans
x

Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year.

One-Year Plans

Two-Year Plan

CONTENT DISCLAIMER:

The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.