Imagine you’re in a prison cell.  What would be at the top of your prayer list?  That was the situation the Apostle Paul faced as he wrote to the Colossians.  He asked them to pray for him – specifically he asked for an open door – but not for himself!  This is what he requested,

praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.  (Colossians 4:3-4)

Imagine that!  Paul prayed for the furtherance of the Gospel rather than his own comfort.  He saw his situation as being allowed by God and he was going to make the best of it as a witness to his captors.  Paul didn’t need to be free from prison to experience true freedom.

We must realize that the purpose of prayer is not to get our will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth.  So what’s on your prayer list?  Dick Eastman writes, “Only those who see the invisible can attempt the impossible.”  Prayer enables you to enlarge your horizons.  The great preacher F.B. Meyer said, “The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but un-offered prayer.”  What great work are you asking of God – don’t hold back, nothing is too difficult for Him!

You can expect God to intervene if you’re willing to intercede!  Remember that the purpose of prayer is not to get what you want, but to get what God wants.  Be encouraged by Jesus’ statement,

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  (John 15:7)

Dr. Rick Higgins

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University