Watch and Pray

English: the first of the Epistles to the Colossians (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

We are taught in scripture that effective prayer involves, “watching” as well as “communicating”.

 

 

• Psalm 5:3 (NASB95) In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.
• Matthew 26:41 (NASB95) “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
• Colossians 4:2 (ESV) Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

 

Watchfulness means a focused gaze, a set attention, constant readiness, alertness, the state of full engagement. Do those phrases adequately describe your prayer life? Or do you find yourself more engaged in spiritual multi-tasking? We should certainly, ”pray as we go”, but those prayers will be more focused and effective if we set aside time to diligently set our full gaze on the Lord, and incline our ears to his Word.

 

 

What do we do with the “lists” of scripture?

I have always found the lists in scripture difficult to apply. Our legalistic mind tends to interpret them as, “things to start doing” and “things to stop doing”. If I simply manage a compilation of scriptural “do’s and don’ts” it isn’t long until I’m spiritually shipwrecked. Here is some practical words advice for how to use the lists of scripture.

1. Read the passage slowly  - Begin by reading the passage of scripture to understand the context. Determine what is being attacked or championed by the writer. It is most helpful to study the bible expositionally (verse by verse, book by book) so you do not have to perpetually rediscover the context. I will often study with the ESVbible.org application (legacy version) that allows you to highlight and make notes in the margin. I will jot down anything that I recognize in the text, commonalities, cross references, lists, contrasts, comparisons, etc.

2. Recognize the vivid contrast between good and bad - The language of contrast and comparison is easy for us to comprehend and distinguish. For example in Colossians 3:1-17 Paul give practical help to the church as they seek to develop the heart qualities that exhibit the nature of Christ. As is often the case with Paul, several qualities are listed that we ought to foster and cultivate, several qualities are listed that we ought to “put off” or remove from our character. For example, we are told to:

Put off: 

• Sexual immorality
• impurity
• passion
• evil desire
• covetousness
• anger
• wrath
• malice
• slander
• obsene talk
• lying

Put on:

• compassionate hearts
• kindness
• humility
• meekness
• patience
• forgivenss
• love
• peace
• thankfulness
• The Word

These lists are helpful in that they help us distinguish godly thoughts and actions from ungodly.

3. Look for the imperative “key” to the text –  If we simply chase the list we will often find our selves defeated and discouraged. The key to obeying God in such passages is often found in the preceding or concluding imperative statements. For example, in verse one and two Paul tells us to “seek” and to “set our minds” on things above where Christ is rather than on things of the earth. This “setting of the mind” together with repentance (putting off) of the worldly qualities and believing Christ for (putting on) the heavenly qualities – results in a life that reflects our Lord in greater measure.

4. Create action items from the imperative statements – Typically, we are being called to thing differently, believe differently or behave differently. In the Colossians 3 text, we know that God is telling us to “seek things above” and to “set our minds on things above”, we much now understand how one does this seeking. A general knowledge of the scriptures, together with sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is very important at this point. Biblical disciplines such as bible reading, prayer, and worship through singing are meant to aid us to focusing our minds on Christ.

We recognize over time that scripture consistently calls us to live out the lists by focusing on Christ, thinking on the Gospel, and meditating on the Kingdom. As we cultivate this practice we discover that we are “abiding in Christ” rather than simply, keeping rules or laws. As we abide in Christ we are operating in His power rather than our own. 

God is No Respecter of Persons

Peter announced in Acts 10:34 that he had come to the knowledge of the fact that God is no respecter of persons. This sudden realization had immediate practical implications for his life and his leadership in the Kingdom. We might assume if God is no respecter of persons, that God is neither a respecter of families, or congregations, or denominations. This being evident, there are at least two conclusions for us.

1. Every Christian (and group of Christians) has a seat at the table of God’s provision and blessing. 
2. No Christian (or group of Christians) has a monopoly on God’s provision or blessing. 

Knowing this we may boldly approach God’s throne of grace and partake in a buffet of benefits. Knowing this we must do so with a heart void of elitism or pride. We must be prepared to embrace all true believers in Christ as fellow heirs of the promise.

Have you recognized the fact that no believer in modern times or in times past surpasses you in access to divine grace? Lay claim to all that is yours in Christ. But do so humbly, confessing that you surpass no believer in access to grace. Consider yourself a fitting servant to all.