“Why are you and I still here? Why hasn’t the Lord taken us yet? What are we doing in 2022?” Maybe you’ve wondered or thought through these questions like I have. Thankfully, God (through His Word) sheds some light on answers for us. In Col. 4:2, Paul writes to the Church at Colossae, “Devote yourselves to prayer…”. One reason we are still here is to talk to God. If prayer is not a part of your life then make it! This is why God has you here. This is what He has accomplished for you through His Son. In Eph. 2:18, it says, “…through Him…we have access in one Spirit to the Father.” Jesus Christ has torn down the veil of separation between us and the Holy of Holies. By His blood we may enter directly into the Father’s presence and draw near to the throne of God to make our requests known. The way we do this is through prayer. So, in 1 Thess. 5:17-18, Paul writes, “Pray without ceasing…for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” In Luke 18, Jesus spoke a parable to His disciples “…to show at all times they ought to pray and not lose heart…”. This is why we are here. Whatever you want to resolve or plan to do this year – plan and resolve to pray. This is where mercy and grace are found. This is where true strength is found. This is where God’s intervention is found. It is found in prayer and this is where we must be found. When you consider your life, is there devotion to prayer as Paul calls for?
Paul continued in Eph. 6:18 with a focus for our prayer. He said, “…pray at all times…with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints…”. We’re to devote ourselves to prayer for others. Make sure you’re talking to God and make sure you’re talking to Him about people. In Eph. 6:18, we see one group of people are the saints. Another group of people to have in view when praying are found in Col. 4:5, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders.” We’re to talk to God about outsiders. Those who do not know the truth as they should, those who’ve yet to turn from sin and trust in Jesus Christ, and those who are outside the family of God.
We pray that the truth would go out with those who know Christ and that this truth would go to those who do not yet know Him. There are many who have yet to come into the hope of the Gospel because of unbelief. They are still out in darkness. They are still out in their sins. Jesus said in John 10:16, “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one Shepherd.” There are others still out there who’ve yet to hear the Shepherd’s voice through the Gospel, they’ve yet to respond to His call and come to Him to be saved. It is these we pray for, trusting God to do the work needed to bring them from the outside to be found in Christ (Phil. 3:9-10). Don’t give up on praying! Devote yourself to it. Talk to God about people. This is one reason why you are still here!
Looking Forward To His Gracious Answers To Your Devoted Prayers! Pastor Rudy