Steadfast in Prayer

“Prayer lays hold of God’s plan and becomes the link
between His will and its accomplishments on earth.
Amazing things happen, and we are given the privilege
of being the channels of the Holy Spirit’s prayer.”
~ Elisabeth Elliot
 

As prayer is an essential core value of VOMC’s mission and ministry, it’s important for our ministry team to continue living lives of relentless prayer. So, at the beginning of the year, I challenged each staff member of VOMC to find a Bible verse on prayer to memorize and reflect upon throughout the year. I personally selected Colossians 4:2, which says, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (ESV).

Reflecting on a portion of Scripture requires exploring the context in which it was written so that one can gain the proper perspective of its meaning and intent. Colossians 4:2 falls within a section of the Apostle Paul’s letter titled, “Further Instructions.” He wrote to the church in Colossae to encourage and instruct believers in their pursuit of Godly living and fulfilling the purposes of God. This particular letter, which is filled with powerful themes, also reminds us as readers today that, because we are alive in Christ, we must walk in a manner worthy of our calling and not allow the philosophies and traditions of the world to lead us off the path of righteousness. Prayer, therefore, becomes a vital component of growth in the Christian faith. It grounds us in a life of discipleship as we seek to remain true to God’s purposes and make Christ known.

Yet, prayer is not only for the benefit of the individual believer. In the greater context of Paul’s letter, the Book of Colossians is a word of exhortation to the global church. Often, I am tempted to approach the Scriptures and apply their lessons to my life without contemplating what God is saying to His church as a whole. Indeed, the Holy Scriptures will direct and instruct me as I seek to live for Christ. However, as a member of my local congregation, I am also a part of the body of Christ, and so I must understand how His Word directs the church in a world that chooses to follow after vain philosophies and false gods.

Paul’s words in Colossians 4:2 also indirectly serve as an instruction to the church in its fulfillment of Christ’s Great Commission to proclaim the Gospel. The church cannot be effective in achieving this purpose if its members are not committed to prayer. In fact, prayer must be the first action we believers engage in – while, under the covering of our local churches, seeking to walk in wisdom and grace so Christ can be made known within our spheres of influence. Since the mission of God is much larger than our human abilities, our individual callings must also be fuelled by the steadfast prayers of a community of believers. This is why Paul himself asked for prayer in the following two verses:

“At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door
for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am
in prison – that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.”

In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow to provide a lesson on steadfast prayer. As the story goes, the widow is seeking justice. But the judge to whom she is appealing neither fears God nor respects people. As the widow appeals to this ungodly judge to rule in her favour, he initially refuses her request and sends her away. The widow, however, is not deterred by the judge’s uncaring response. She continues to approach the judge to the point of wearing down his resolve. So, to be relieved of her consistent pestering, he eventually grants her the justice she diligently seeks.

This is an excellent lesson for all followers of Christ, as it encourages us to continue steadfastly in prayer, knowing that our petitions do not ascend to an ungodly human judge but to the Sovereign God who rules righteously over all. Note the final verse of this parable which should also capture our attention. Jesus concludes with these words: “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (v. 8). In essence, the Lord provided this parable of the persistent widow to encourage us all as His disciples to exercise our faith through steadfast prayer.

When I reflect on the widow in this story, I think of the long enduring process she must have gone through to prepare her repeated appeals to the judge. I don’t believe she went to the courtroom each time without having a carefully thought-out plan in mind. And whenever her appeals were rejected, she most likely contemplated further about her experiences with the judge. Based on her persistence, it appears she went home and reevaluated her plea, wrestling with how to effectively approach this ungodly magistrate who didn’t seem care about her issue of concern. Then, gathering her resolve, she courageously went back to the court, presented her case again and demanded justice – not resting the case until she received a just verdict. In other words, seeking a righteous judgement became her mission.

We, too, have the opportunity to demonstrate such persistent faith through our continual steadfast prayers. In a world of injustice, though, let’s not get lost in the negative fallout we see all around us and anxiously worry about how it will affect our lives. There is something much larger at stake than the way of living we have grown to love and defend. I know this is true because the letter written to the church in Colossae was also written for today’s church. Its author, who often wrote from a prison cell, did not appeal, “Find a way to get me out of these terrible conditions,” but rather, “Pray for open doors for the Gospel.”

When we make the condition of our religious freedom the main focus of advocacy, our attention can become centred on “self,” causing the work of the Great Commission to slip into a state of omission. So then, how do we keep our focus where it needs to be? According to Psalm 51:10-12, it starts with prayer:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."

What is the result of having a clean heart and renewed spirit? As the psalmist rightly points out in the following verse (v. 13), it’s being ready to pursue the Lord’s Gospel work:

“Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
and sinners will return to You.”

So, let us join with fellow believers in praying that the church will fulfill the mission of God in this world, regardless of the obstacles. As His Word affirms, we will assuredly overcome whatever challenges come our way by remaining steadfast in prayer and faithful in witness.

 
Floyd A. Brobbel
Chief Executive Officer
The Voice of the Martyrs Canada Inc.