PRAYING THAT GOD MAY OPEN A DOOR

          Jesus came to seek and save the Lost (Lk.9;10).  He also sent out others to teach and preach the good news of God’s saving grace.  On a couple occasions He instructed His followers to “beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest” (Mt.9:38 & Lk.10:2).   Paul reminds us that “the gospel…is the power of God unto salvation” (Rom.1:16).  The salvation that comes through faith  begins with hearing the word (Rom.10:17).  Our task as a church is to be bearers of the glad tidings.  Thus, we too, pray for laborers to go forth with the word.  And while not all may have the gift of teaching and preaching, all of us can be involved in seeking the lost.  Prayer is a keystone in reaching the lost.  ALL OF US CAN PRAY - - for workers to go forth and, more specifically, for those who are lost. 

          Concerning his Jewish brethren, Paul wrote, “My heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation” (Rom.10:1).  

Exactly how God works on the hearts and minds of the lost we might never fully understand.  Yet, the Scriptures teach clearly that prayer plays a vital role.  In the challenge to reach the lost, there is a primacy of prayer.  It is a “first of all” (foremost) movement on the part of the church (1Tim.2:1).  Sadly, many of us have failed to make praying for the lost a high priority.  Immediately following Jesus’ great commission the early saints gathered, not to study, but to PRAY - - “these all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer” (Acts 1:14).  The significance of prayer is likewise accentuated in Paul’s letter to the Colossians:  Devote yourselves to prayer… praying at the same time for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ …in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak (Col.2:2-4).  Even though the apostle Paul was inspired by God & guided by the Holy Spirit, he was nevertheless keenly aware of the efficacy of prayer.

                                                                                                                    Terry Siverd / Cortland Church Of Christ