January 13th, 2026
by Matthew Spoon
by Matthew Spoon
The Power of Prayer: Opening the Door to Divine Communication
Have you ever stopped to consider what an extraordinary privilege it is to pray? In our fast-paced world filled with endless communication tools—smartphones, social media, instant messaging—we've never been more connected to each other. Yet ironically, we often fail to connect with the One who matters most: our Creator.
The book of Colossians offers us a profound meditation on communication—not just with each other, but with God Himself. It reminds us that as believers, we have been given a direct line to the throne room of heaven, an invitation that cost everything.
An Expensive Invitation
In the Old Testament, access to God's presence was severely restricted. Once a year, one person—the high priest—could enter the Holy of Holies, the innermost chamber of the temple where God's manifest presence dwelled. There was a thick veil separating humanity from deity, a constant reminder of the gap between a holy God and sinful people.
But when Jesus died on the cross, something remarkable happened. Matthew 27:50-51 tells us that at the moment of His death, "the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom." As Christ's flesh was torn, so was the barrier separating us from God. The way was opened—not through our own merit, but through His sacrifice.
Hebrews 10:19-20 celebrates this truth, reminding us that we now have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus. What once required elaborate rituals and yearly ceremonies is now available to every believer, every moment of every day.
Praying with Purpose
Colossians 4:2-6 gives us a masterclass in prayer. The passage urges believers to "continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving." This isn't a casual suggestion—it's a call to intensity, consistency, and intentionality.
Pray Intensely: Prayer should matter to us because it actually works. We serve a God who moves in response to the prayers of His people. When we pray, we should pray like it makes a difference—because it does.
Pray Continually: This doesn't mean walking around in a trance-like state all day. Rather, it means maintaining a heart posture that's always inclined toward God, bringing Him into every moment and circumstance. We function on both physical and spiritual levels, and spiritually, we need constant communion with our Creator.
Pray Attentively: We live in a world full of problems and needs. Rather than closing our eyes to them or simply complaining, we should be alert and watchful, bringing these needs before God in prayer. Are we just complaining about the state of the world, or are we actually interceding for it?
Pray Appreciatively: Gratitude should saturate our prayers. Even in the worst circumstances—even if we feel we have nothing else to be thankful for—we can always thank God that we have access to Him through prayer.
Pray Specifically: Vague prayers produce uncertain results. When we pray specifically, we build stronger faith and offer greater praise when God answers. If God answered your prayers today, would you even recognize it?
The Gospel Must Go Forward
One of the most striking aspects of Colossians 4 is the apostle's request for prayer while imprisoned. Instead of asking primarily for release, he asks for opportunities to share the gospel. His priority wasn't comfort—it was communication of the good news about Jesus Christ.
This reveals a profound truth: every circumstance, no matter how difficult, can become a platform for the gospel. Those prison chains became a means of reaching the palace guard. What seemed like a setback became a setup for God's purposes.
The same can be true in our lives. Whether we're in a hospital bed, a difficult workplace, or facing personal trials, we can ask God to use our circumstances to point others to Christ. The question isn't whether we're in ideal circumstances, but whether we're willing to be used wherever we are.
Walking the Talk
Our lifestyle speaks volumes. As Colossians reminds us, we should "walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time." The world is watching how Christians live, and our actions either confirm or contradict our message.
Someone once said, "You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day, by the deeds that you do, by the words that you say. Men read what you write, whether faithfulness or true. Say, what is the gospel according to you?"
Our walk should match our talk. We should be looking for opportunities to show love, extend mercy, demonstrate grace, and serve others. This isn't about perfection—it's about direction. When we fail, we repent and continue pursuing righteousness.
Grace-Filled Speech
Finally, Colossians 4:6 instructs us: "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt." This beautiful metaphor captures the balance Christians must strike in communication.
Grace makes our words sweet—kind, respectful, courteous, and pleasant. Christians should be known for being genuinely nice people.
Salt adds flavor and preserves—it represents truth that may sometimes sting but ultimately brings life. We must speak truth, even when it's uncomfortable.
The key is being both tactful and impactful. The gospel itself is offensive enough to the natural mind; we don't need to add unnecessary offense through harsh delivery. Yet we also shouldn't be so afraid of offending that we fail to speak truth at all.
Jesus modeled this perfectly with the woman at the well. He offered her living water (sweet), then lovingly confronted her sin (salty). The result? She believed and became an evangelist to her entire town.
An Open Line
According to research, the average Christian prays only one to three minutes per day. Despite having unprecedented access to the God of the universe, we often ignore this incredible privilege.
Imagine having a relationship with your spouse built on three minutes of daily conversation. It would be unsustainable. How much more should we invest in our relationship with our Creator?
The invitation stands open. The veil is torn. The way is clear. Will we accept the privilege of prayer and make the most of this extraordinary gift? Will we communicate with God, communicate the gospel, and communicate grace to a watching world?
The door is open. It's time to walk through it.
Have you ever stopped to consider what an extraordinary privilege it is to pray? In our fast-paced world filled with endless communication tools—smartphones, social media, instant messaging—we've never been more connected to each other. Yet ironically, we often fail to connect with the One who matters most: our Creator.
The book of Colossians offers us a profound meditation on communication—not just with each other, but with God Himself. It reminds us that as believers, we have been given a direct line to the throne room of heaven, an invitation that cost everything.
An Expensive Invitation
In the Old Testament, access to God's presence was severely restricted. Once a year, one person—the high priest—could enter the Holy of Holies, the innermost chamber of the temple where God's manifest presence dwelled. There was a thick veil separating humanity from deity, a constant reminder of the gap between a holy God and sinful people.
But when Jesus died on the cross, something remarkable happened. Matthew 27:50-51 tells us that at the moment of His death, "the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom." As Christ's flesh was torn, so was the barrier separating us from God. The way was opened—not through our own merit, but through His sacrifice.
Hebrews 10:19-20 celebrates this truth, reminding us that we now have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus. What once required elaborate rituals and yearly ceremonies is now available to every believer, every moment of every day.
Praying with Purpose
Colossians 4:2-6 gives us a masterclass in prayer. The passage urges believers to "continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving." This isn't a casual suggestion—it's a call to intensity, consistency, and intentionality.
Pray Intensely: Prayer should matter to us because it actually works. We serve a God who moves in response to the prayers of His people. When we pray, we should pray like it makes a difference—because it does.
Pray Continually: This doesn't mean walking around in a trance-like state all day. Rather, it means maintaining a heart posture that's always inclined toward God, bringing Him into every moment and circumstance. We function on both physical and spiritual levels, and spiritually, we need constant communion with our Creator.
Pray Attentively: We live in a world full of problems and needs. Rather than closing our eyes to them or simply complaining, we should be alert and watchful, bringing these needs before God in prayer. Are we just complaining about the state of the world, or are we actually interceding for it?
Pray Appreciatively: Gratitude should saturate our prayers. Even in the worst circumstances—even if we feel we have nothing else to be thankful for—we can always thank God that we have access to Him through prayer.
Pray Specifically: Vague prayers produce uncertain results. When we pray specifically, we build stronger faith and offer greater praise when God answers. If God answered your prayers today, would you even recognize it?
The Gospel Must Go Forward
One of the most striking aspects of Colossians 4 is the apostle's request for prayer while imprisoned. Instead of asking primarily for release, he asks for opportunities to share the gospel. His priority wasn't comfort—it was communication of the good news about Jesus Christ.
This reveals a profound truth: every circumstance, no matter how difficult, can become a platform for the gospel. Those prison chains became a means of reaching the palace guard. What seemed like a setback became a setup for God's purposes.
The same can be true in our lives. Whether we're in a hospital bed, a difficult workplace, or facing personal trials, we can ask God to use our circumstances to point others to Christ. The question isn't whether we're in ideal circumstances, but whether we're willing to be used wherever we are.
Walking the Talk
Our lifestyle speaks volumes. As Colossians reminds us, we should "walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time." The world is watching how Christians live, and our actions either confirm or contradict our message.
Someone once said, "You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day, by the deeds that you do, by the words that you say. Men read what you write, whether faithfulness or true. Say, what is the gospel according to you?"
Our walk should match our talk. We should be looking for opportunities to show love, extend mercy, demonstrate grace, and serve others. This isn't about perfection—it's about direction. When we fail, we repent and continue pursuing righteousness.
Grace-Filled Speech
Finally, Colossians 4:6 instructs us: "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt." This beautiful metaphor captures the balance Christians must strike in communication.
Grace makes our words sweet—kind, respectful, courteous, and pleasant. Christians should be known for being genuinely nice people.
Salt adds flavor and preserves—it represents truth that may sometimes sting but ultimately brings life. We must speak truth, even when it's uncomfortable.
The key is being both tactful and impactful. The gospel itself is offensive enough to the natural mind; we don't need to add unnecessary offense through harsh delivery. Yet we also shouldn't be so afraid of offending that we fail to speak truth at all.
Jesus modeled this perfectly with the woman at the well. He offered her living water (sweet), then lovingly confronted her sin (salty). The result? She believed and became an evangelist to her entire town.
An Open Line
According to research, the average Christian prays only one to three minutes per day. Despite having unprecedented access to the God of the universe, we often ignore this incredible privilege.
Imagine having a relationship with your spouse built on three minutes of daily conversation. It would be unsustainable. How much more should we invest in our relationship with our Creator?
The invitation stands open. The veil is torn. The way is clear. Will we accept the privilege of prayer and make the most of this extraordinary gift? Will we communicate with God, communicate the gospel, and communicate grace to a watching world?
The door is open. It's time to walk through it.
No Comments