Colossians 4:2-6 (NLT): Pray and Bear Witness
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.
Comment:
In this section of his letter to the Colossians, Paul encourages the faithful to deepen their knowledge of God. This, moreover, is a message that applies to us twenty-first century Christians as well. Through our relationship with Jesus, we are equipped by the Holy Spirit to witness among everyone we meet, for “God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ.” We should, however, develop our devotion to reading Scripture and studying our faith. This not only gives us the grace necessary to find answers about what and why we believe, but it draws us, as well as those to whom we witness, closer to Christ.
Paul also emphasizes prayer: “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” We must be consistent in offering thanks to God and praying for others. Prayer is conversation with God, and in order to know and love the Trinity more, we must spend time together in conversation. Genuine conversation requires listening and speaking. When we read Scripture, we are listening to God. Through prayer, God listens to us. All relationships require time and commitment; it is no different in our relationship with God.
Finally, our formation in and devotion to Scripture, faith, and prayer, make us more informed ambassadors for Christ, ready to reflect his light to others, sometimes when we don’t even realize we are. Let us, as St. Paul puts it, “make the most of every opportunity. Let [our witness to Christ] be gracious and attractive.”
May you all be blessed and encouraged in the love and peace of Christ.
Stan
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