Prayer and Beyond (Colossians 4:2-6)

Devote yourselves in prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Don’t forget to pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to preach about his secret plan—that Christ is also for you Gentiles. 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 Christians, and make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.

According to the www,http://reverso.net dictionary

Alert mind antonyms: careless, heedless, inactive, languid, lethargic, listless, oblivious, slow, unaware, unconcerned, unwary.

So our mind have to have that kind of caring and active alertness with a thankful spirit.

The main goal throughout Paul's ministry was to preach and pray for his ministry but also to involved people who would back him up but not only that, he would expect them to pray for him with an alert mind and thankful heart.  He expected the best.  He didn't just expect a large number of people to pray for him but he also expected a certain attitude with it.

A large number of praying Christians who were slumbering through prayer wouldn't have done any good for his ministry. 

They had to pray for them who were the frontline ministers for

1) an effective preaching ministry to the Gentiles

2) for clarity of speech in giving this important message

He not only wanted them to pray for him and his team, but also live an exemplary life before those Gentiles that Paul was ministering to so that in any way there would not be any compromise.

So prayer has to always be backed up by a life that is an example to others in order to be effective.

I am sorry that I was late today in bringing you this post.

Have an awesome day!