The Ministry of Prayer

Bible Reading: Colossians 4:2-4

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 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 which I am in prison – that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” (Colossians 4:2-4)

As we grow in our walk of faith, we will realise that we don’t just live for ourselves. Becoming a Christian is not just like being a ticket to heaven. Being a Christian means that we make God the lord and master over our lives. We ought to return to God’s Word and submit to it. 

As we continue to read deeper into God’s Word, we will come to understand that this world does not revolve around us and our going to heaven. Instead, it revolves around God’s kingdom. God’s kingdom has come into this world through Christ, and God’s will is to expand His kingdom on earth through His church until one day, He shall come again and restore His Kingdom in full. 

This is what ministry is. It is about spreading the kingdom on earth, fulfilling the Great Commission Jesus gave in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

Whether we serve in the music ministry or lead Sunday School, all ministry is for the expansion of God’s Kingdom. As growing Christians, our hearts long to be used by God. We want to serve Him, and we want to be used to evangelise to others. But how? In what ways does God call us?

Of course, God calls us to join our local church and serve together there. And of course, we must be a witness to all our neighbours. However, there is a vital ministry we often forget – the ministry of prayer. Paul asks the church in Colossae to pray for Him. Paul asks for the church to pray that God opens a door for the Word to be preached and the good news of Jesus to be proclaimed.  

In our current context, we might not be called to become full-time evangelists or missionaries. However, we vitally take part in their ministry through prayer. This world is in constant need of prayer because this world is in continual need of the gospel. How can someone understand and believe in the gospel if it is not God who works? 

When we see wars ravaging nations, we see almost complete hell. The only hope for humans in the face of death is the gospel. As Christians, we must spread the gospel. However, in our current context, we cannot go and spread the gospel in war-stricken countries. However, there are churches and Christians in those places who can. We are called to pray for them, pray that the Word may be proclaimed boldly and the mystery of Christ can be revealed. This is our role in the ministry. It is everyone’s role. We ought to continue to pray for the expansion of God’s kingdom everywhere. 

The gospel is desperately needed from those amongst our generation in Australia to unreached people groups in distant places. We must be ready when God calls us to take action to spread the gospel in our given context. However, we must be steadfast to minister the gospel to the whole world through prayer on our knees. 

Lord, thank You for the privilege to serve You. Thank You for Your goodness and abundant grace in Jesus Christ. Please teach me to take up the ministry of prayer. Help me to serve You in prayer. Give me a burden for souls and the expansion of Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.