Christ Complete Becoming in Becoming Christ in Complete 2014 OIF Spring Sermon Series “Powerful Prayers” Colossians 4:2-4

Christ Complete Becoming in Colossians 1:9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God… Philippians 1:3-4 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy… Ephesians 1:16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

Christ Complete Becoming in Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 1 st Timothy 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people…

Christ Complete Becoming in 2 Corinthians 1:11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Christ Complete Becoming in Becoming Christ in Complete 2014 OIF Spring Sermon Series “Powerful Prayers” Colossians 4:2-4

Christ Complete Becoming in 1. Important Characteristics of Powerful Prayers Colossians 4:2-4 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 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— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

Christ Complete Becoming in 1. Important Characteristics of Powerful Prayers Matthew 7: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

Christ Complete Becoming in 1. Important Characteristics of Powerful Prayers Colossians 4:2-4 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 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— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

Christ Complete Becoming in 1. Important Characteristics of Powerful Prayers Luke 21:36 Be always on the watch, and pray… Mark 14:38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Christ Complete Becoming in 1. Important Characteristics of Powerful Prayers Isaiah 62:6-7 6 I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, 7 and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth. Psalm 130:6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Christ Complete Becoming in 1. Important Characteristics of Powerful Prayers Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Colossians 1:12, 3: and giving joyful thanks to the Father… 15 …And be thankful… 16 singing to God with gratitude in your hearts… 17 do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Christ Complete Becoming in 1. Important Characteristics of Powerful Prayers Colossians 4:2-4 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 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— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Mark 11:17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’?

Christ Complete Becoming in 2. An Important Subject of Powerful Prayers Colossians 4:2-4 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 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— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Acts 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Christ Complete Becoming in 2. An Important Subject of Powerful Prayers Colossians 4:2-4 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 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— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. "Paul did not ask for the prison doors to be opened, but that doors of ministry might be opened. It was more important to Paul that he be a faithful minister than a free man." - Pastor Warren Wiersbe

Christ Complete Becoming in 2. An Important Subject of Powerful Prayers Colossians 4:2-4 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 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— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. "The proclamation of the Gospel is empowered by prayer. The Spirit of God uses the Word of God as we come to the throne of grace and ask God for His blessings. We must never separate the Word of God from prayer because God has joined them together.” - Pastor Warren Wiersbe