Note: This was a prayer meeting sermon for First Baptist Church on September 9, 2026.

Paul not only prayed for the saints; he asked the saints to pray for him and his ministry partners.

Studying Paul’s prayer requests can help us know how to pray for each other.

 What were Paul’s prayer requests?

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 account of which I am in prison – that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.”

Let’s look at this passage with the following headings: 1. Keep on praying, 2. Keep on praying for us.

I. Keep On Praying

 Paul urged the Colossians to pray with continued steadfastness. Keep it up. Do not give up. Do not grow weary in praying.

“Continue steadfstly” is in the present tense, which means Paul is saying, “Keep on keeping on in prayer.” Persevere in it.

This refers to more than time given to prayer or the amount of times dedicated to prayer. It has the idea of devotion. This is something that you continue to do because you are devoted to it and engaged in it. We must continually devote ourselves to prayer.

A. Keep On Watching as You Pray

This is not all. Not only does Paul urge them to continue steadfastly in prayer, but as they are devoted to prayer they are to be watchful in it. Be alert as you pray. Be on the look out.

This word is used 22 times in the New Testament. It is used in reference to Christ’s second coming. The saints are told to “stay awake” – keep watching for his coming. It is also used in relation to danger. Keep watching for wolves who come into the church and even rise from the elder’s own numbers (Acts 20:31). It is also used in relation to watching out because of spiritual warfare in which we are engaged. In 1 Peter 5:8, we are told to stay alert because the great adversary, the Devil, is like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Don’t fall asleep on guard. 

As we pray we are to await the Lord’s second coming and anticipate it. We are to watch for the Master. We are to look out for the devil. We are to look out for false teaching. We are on high alert for good things and bad things.

B. Keep on Thanking as You Pray

We need to be careful that the idea of being on high alert does not make us pessimistic. We are to continue with thanksgiving. Watchfulness is to persist, and so is thanksgiving to the Lord. We are to be thankful to the Lord for all his many blessings, especially the blessing of salvation.

II. Keep on Praying for Us

Paul also asks them to pray for him and his ministry partners. Amazingly, as Paul is in prison, he does not ask them to pray for his release. He asks them to pray for opportunity and clarity.

  A. Mystery of Christ   

He asks for these things in relation to the mystery of Christ. This mystery of Christ is explained in Colossians 1:24-29. 

The mystery of Christ is the work of God to save those who are in Christ, but it is also that those whom Christ saves are then indwelled by Christ himself. Christ in you (all believers, including Gentiles). This is the hope of glory.

Paul is in prison for this mystery. If this is his imprisonment mentioned in Acts 28, which it likely is, that imprisonment began because he proclaimed that God had sent him to the Gentiles. We know this because of Acts 22:21-22: “And he said to me, ‘Go for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ Up to this word they listened. Then they raised their voices and said, ‘Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live!'”

This mystery of Christ in you, including the Gentile believers, was why Paul was imprisoned.

B. Pray for Opportunity to Proclaim the Mystery

The very thing that put him in prison is the very thing that he is going to keep on preaching while in prison. He asks the Colossians to pray that he will have the opportunity to preach the Gospel.

Think of what this means. What opportunities would Paul have? Almost every opportunity would be a possibility for more persecution. He would have opportunity to preach to his guards or to preach to Caesar or courts. When he preached to others the guards would hear him. The opportunity to share the Gospel was opportunity for further mistreatment.

I wonder how many of us hesitate to share the Gospel because of discomfort. Think of Paul asking prayer for opportunity to share it in ways that would make his life more difficult or end it. 

C. Pray for Clarity as the Mystery Is Proclaimed

He also asked them to pray for clarity in preaching this Gospel. He asked them to pray for an open door and for clarity.

“Make it clear” is the Greek word  phaneroō which means “to bring to light.” Paul says his preaching should bring the mystery of Christ out into the spotlight for everyone to see. 

Conclusion

Paul presents us with a simple but glorious prayer list. “Pray we are given the opportunity to preach the mystery of Christ and pray that we can bring this to light for all to see.”

This is what we can pray for our missionaries, Sunday School teachers, your pastor, and all our brothers and sisters in Christ.

 “Father, give us all opportunity to share the Gospel, and grant us clarity as we speak it. Give us opportunities, then enable us to state the Gospel clearly. Amen”