Plea for Grace

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
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.
Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”  Colossians 4:2-6 NLT

Sometimes I just get “stuck.”  I don’t know what to pray for.  That’s why I have learned over the years to pray with my “Bible open” (either literally, or bringing back to mind the verses committed to memory).  Reading this passage forces me to think — do I ask others to pray that I will have lots of opportunities to share Christ with those who don’t know Him?  Do I ask God to open my eyes to see these opportunities all around me?

I had to confess and repent that often I will get on a plane or stand in a line and, instead, ask God, “for just a little peace and quiet, Lord.  I’m so tired.”  Paul didn’t just have an annoying medical condition — HE WAS IN PRISON!!!  He was asking the Colossian believers to pray that he would have opportunities to share Christ, and that he would be clear, gracious and attractive.  How selfish of me, to want to trade my temporary “peace and quiet” for someone else’s eternal destruction.

Lord, I do want to make the best use of every opportunity.  Sometimes you do want me to rest my voice and be quiet.  Sometimes, though, you want me to speak, to ask questions, to listen (which I can do with a sore voice or not) and to pray that someone will be radically changed by the wonderful gospel of Christ.  You are my redeemer; You saved me; I do want everyone to know that.

^“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”  Colossians 4:2 ESV

Continue . . .not a one-time action, or hit-and-miss, but constant

Steadfastly. . .not flip-flop or haphazard, but confident in the One to whom we are praying

Watchful. . .not lazy, half-hearted, but alert, attentive

Thanksgiving . . .not entitled, begrudging, but grateful, appreciative

Lord, I want to be alert in my prayer life; give me the faith to believe that You not only hear me, but Your commitment is to act toward my good and what You have deemed best.  Father, open my eyes to see where You are working.  And, Lord, keep my heart and my mind and my tongue thankful for You and for Your mercy and grace toward me.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.  I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:5-6 (ESV)

Perspective is everything.  Through what lens do I look at this world? at my life?

Lord, I want to look through Your eyes.  You have been, and are, good to me.  You saved me; you chose me.  I woke up this morning; I’m alive.  Forgive me for my selfishness, for thinking that I “deserve” more.  You will never stop loving me; You will never cease to care for me.  Thank you for Your steadfast love.

“May my lips overflow with praise, for You teach me Your decrees. May my tongue sing of Your word, for all Your commands are righteous.”  Psalm 119:171-172 NIV

Almighty God teaches me His ways.  He has given me His Word.  He cares for me as an individual.  What He commands is right and good because God is righteousness and goodness.

Lord, my lips do overflow with praise at your care and your unfailing love for me.  Give me a heart to desire and thirst for your word.  May your word be as familiar to me as nursery rhymes and advertising jingles.  I want to know You; teach me to know You.  Teach me to love You. Thank you for your word!

God’s way is perfect.  All the Lord’s promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
For who is God except the Lord?  Who but our God is a solid rock? Psalm 18:30-31 NLT

God’s way is perfect.  Mine is not.  God always keeps his promises.  God will never fail to protect me.  If nothing else this past month’s “silence” has taught me, I have learned anew that God is the Only Holy One of Israel.  I can trust His goodness; I can trust His perfection.  I can trust His shielding.  I can trust Him. . .