2 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.
5 Walk in wisdom towards outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant[b] in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfil the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Continuous Prayer
I walk down the busy streets of Chicago with one thing on my mind. It is not the world-class architecture from the city full of skyscrapers. It is not the traffic that races to beat the lights at the intersections. And unfortunately, it is not the God who holds all of reality together and orchestrates mankind’s destiny. I think of one problem in my world and I obsess on it. Day by day it varies. Today it was the problem of recording an audio book. The question was whether the book would sound good. I was worrying whether the spirit of the book would carry on as well as it did last Thursday when we recorded chapters 1-17 (they are short chapters). I was ready to launch into the task without a thought for God, when suddenly Jon Gauger, who was running the session, suggested we should pray.
That changed everything.
My mind became aware of the God who had always been in the room and whose message we hoped to communicate. My stress levels lowered as though God was sliding down the knob on his sound board. When we noticed that there was a typo in chapter 20 which will not be addressed unless there is a reprint, it didn’t seem to matter. I saw the flaw as a reminder that we are not in control, we are not perfect, and with our flaws we are accepted by God.
Continuous prayer focuses the mind on God. A mind focused on God prays continuously. What will often bring my mind to God is letting myself assess my emotions. There are usually signs that all is not quite right in the world and so this then pushes me toward God. He listens to my cares and worries and he starts to wash them away with his provision and compassion. After removing the obstacles to his will, I see his direction more clearly. I become less conscious of self. I leave behind shame and pride. I can function with confidence in him and I can begin forgetting myself.
A life of continuous prayer is a life in the presence of God. We are aligned with him and peace comes for a visit. Reminding the mind to focus on things above, not on earthly things, is a discipline that can be helped by turning on God-focused music, listening to Moody Radio, or leaving an open Bible by the bathroom mirror. Remembering that this is not a cognitive exercise, but a dynamic relationship, a conversation should start. We cry out to God and the heavens pour forth speech. Jon reminded me to pray today. I am reminding you. God is waiting for all of us to share the details of life with him.
Prayer
Father, I thank you that you brought my mind back to you when I was focused on my to-do-list.
Question
- What directives does Paul give in this passage?
- Which people does Paul mention?
- Why does Paul list people?
- How continuously do you pray?
- How could your life reflect the faithfulness of Paul’s companions more?
Plymothian 
1. The two main directives that Paul gives in this passage are to be steadfast in prayer and walk in wisdom towards outsiders.
2. Paul mentions Tychicus (a beloved brother, faithful minister and fellow servant), Onesimus (a beloved brother), Aristarchus (a fellow prisoner), Mark (cousin of Barnabas), and Jesus (who is called Justus).
3. Paul wants the church to greet his brothers whom he listed.
4. Throughout the day I have internal communication with God. It’s less often that I actually close my eyes and bow my head to pray, but more often I communicate with God about the small (and big) things going on in my life. There is always room for improvement.
5. If my life reflected Paul’s companions more, I would be known as a beloved Sister, faithful minister, and servant.
1.) To pray and walk in wisdom.
2.) Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristtarchus, and Mark.
3.) To make it personable, to encourage the readers, and so that they know who they need to greet/be praying for.
4.) I wish I remembered to continuously pray more. Some days are better than others, but I’m thankful that I serve a God of grace who is always there and ready to listen.
5.) By devoting myself more to prayer, watching for the needs of others, and remembering to be thankful always.
1. What directives does Paul give in this passage? To be steadfast in prayer, and watchful with thanksgiving
2. Which people does Paul mention? Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, brothers at Laodicea, Nympha and the church in her house, Archippus
3. Why does Paul list people? I think Paul lists these people because he wants the church in Colossae to recognize that they are not alone in the church and that they should be encouraged by and praying for those who are also in Christ’s body
4. How continuously do you pray? I try to leave reminders for myself on my desk and by my mirror to pray for those around me and when God brings someone to mind I try to pray for them as well
5. How could your life reflect the faithfulness of Paul’s companions more? By being more faithful in prayer and in encouragement and building up of the body
1. To contiue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful and thankful.
2.Tychicus, Aristarcus, Barnabas, Epaphrus, and Luke and others who have been an encouragement to the body of Christ.
3. He lists them for instruction and an example as well as for encouragement.
4. I try to everyday, but that doesn’t always happen.
5. Through prayer and always being conscious of giving help and encouragement.
1. What directives does Paul give in this passage? To continue steadfastly in prayer, specifically for Paul’s ministry, to walk in wisdom toward outsiders, to let their speech be gracious and seasoned with salt, to welcome Mark if he comes, to read the letter before the church and also make sure that the letter from the church at Laodicea is read.
2. Which people does Paul mention? Paul mentions Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Barnabas, Mark, Jesus Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, Nympha and Archippus individually by name, but also the brothers in Laodicea, those in Hierapolis, and the church that met at Nympha’s house.
3. Why does Paul list people? Paul lists the different people for different reasons, sometimes to send greetings on their behalf, and in the case of Archippus, to send an individualized note.
4. How continuously do you pray? How do you measure what it means to be in continuous prayer? I speak with God many, many times throughout the day, but I want to be in constant prayer.
5. How could your life reflect the faithfulness of Paul’s companions more? I want to be faithfully in prayer for those who I claim to be partnered with. I want to be laboring in prayer for churches. I want to be a comfort to those who are in chains.
What directives does Paul give in this passage?
To continue in prayer, to walk in wisdom, to speak graciously, to read the letter from Laodecia and to welcome Mark.
Which people does Paul mention?
Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Barnabas, Mark, Jesus Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, Nympha and Archippus
Why does Paul list people?
To send greetings, to provide examples of true faith, to send instruction, to inquire about someone.
How continuously do you pray?
Through song in my head, through simple prayers
How could your life reflect the faithfulness of Paul’s companions more?
By seeking discipline and controlling my appetite for sports entertainment.
1. Continue in steadfast prayer, be watchful with thanksgiving. Walk in wisdom, let your speech be gracious.
2. Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, and Jesus (Justus). These are his brothers.
3. Paul wants them to greet his brothers who he mentions.
4. I seem to pray at night most often right before bed, and during the day I feel like I’m always talking to God about something. But I rarely prayer intentionally for a long period of time, which includes listening to God.
5. I should prayer for those whom I love more often. And trust God to take care of them.
1. Devote yourselves to prayer being watchful and thankful, to be wise, make the most of every opportunity, to have conversation filled with grace.
2. Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, Nympha,the Laodiceans, and Archippus.
3. They are direct orders from to greet and tell certain people certain things. They are also people that Paul has labored with and they are therefore important to the ministry of the church and are important to the Colossians. However, all church leaders need prayer.
4. I do find myself praying throughout the day, but then there could be long intervals where I do not. It is inconsistent more than continuous.
5. I should pray for my church leaders, and brothers in Christ- however I should also seek them out individually pray with them and encourage them and work alongside them for the sake of the gospel.
Paul’s directives in this passage are to be steadfast in prayer and be watchful with thanksgiving. Paul mentions Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, Nympha,the Laodiceans, and Archippus in this passage. Paul mentions people by name to give examples of the people of faith for the readers and to address them specifically. I pray a few times a day, and sometimes throughout the day I have on-going dialogue with God. I can be more like those Paul is writing to by being more faithful in prayer and encouragement of the body of Christ.
1. Paul directs the readers to be steadfast in prayer and to walk in wisdom towards outsiders.
2. Paul mentions several others: Tychicus (a faithful minister in the Lord), Onesimus (a faithful brother), Aristarchus (a fellow prisoner), Mark (the cousin of Barnabas), Jesus called Justus (one who sends his greetings), Epaphras (a faithful servant who prays), Luke (the doctor), Demas (a friend), Nympha (a woman who has a church in her house), and Archippus (one of the Colossians).
3. Paul lists people to give explanations, encouragements, greetings, and instructions.
4. Prayer has never been a strength of mine. While I do pray on a regular basis, my prayer life is not nearly as constant as I want it to be.
5. My life could reflect the faithfulness of Paul’s companion through more prayer, encouraging those around me more, and loving more.
1. To pray and be thankful
2. He mentions Tychicus, Mark, Justas, Epaphras, Onesimus, Luke, Demas, Nympha and Arhippus
3. Paul wants to them to greet them, but I also think he wants to remind them so that they are praying for specific people.
4. I struggle to find time alone to pray with God.
5. I could reflect Paul’s companions by being constantly in prayer, being thankful and by consistently reading God’s word.
1. Paul wants us to continue steadfastly in prayer, watchfully and with thanks giving. He also wants us to walk in wisdom towards those who are not saved and making the best use of their time. We are also to have gracious speech.
2. Tychicus, Aristarchus, Mark, Jesus also called Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, brothers at Laodicea, Nympha and the church in her house, and Archippus.
3. I think Paul intends it as reminders, instructions, and encouragements.
4. We should be steadfast in our prayers or unwavering. We also need to be sure that we are also continually giving thanksgiving and especially praying for our brothers and sister, especially those who are preaching and suffering for the gospel.
5. I think my life could reflect that kind of faithfulness better if I was serving or caring more so for those around me in my church here in Chicago, joining with them in earnest pray and being involved more so in the lives of the congregation.
1. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving, walk in wisdom, make the best use of time, and let your speech be gracious.
2. Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Jesus (called Justus), Epaphras, Luke, Demas, the brothers at Laodicea, Nympha and her house church, and Archippus.
3. To remind the believers of other believers to be praying for, to send greetings, and even as a reminder of the faithful ministry of the believers.
4. Not as continuously as I should.
5. I could spend more time in continuous prayer, making it a habit. In addition, I could better reflect the faithfulness of Paul’s companions by spending more time in the word of God and by “making the best use of the time” that I have been given.
1.What directives does Paul give in this passage? To continue in prayer, to be steadfast and graceful, and to walk in wisdom.
2.Which people does Paul mention? Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Jesus (a.k.a Justus), Epaphras, Luke, Demas, the brothers at Laodicea, Nympha and her house church, and Archippus.
3.Why does Paul list people? To remind the believers and encourage them as well as greet them.
4.How continuously do you pray? I pray as I walk to classrooms, before I eat meals, in the morning, before bed, as well as before I meet anybody during the day. However, I desire more time with Him.
5.How could your life reflect the faithfulness of Paul’s companions more? I think by spending more time in prayer and seeking God will reflect the faithfulness of Paul’s companions more. Also, reading the Living Word every day and mediating on it will reflect their faithfulness as well.
1.) Paul encourages them to be steadfast in prayer, to walk in wisdom towards outsides and watchful with thanksgiving
2.) Paul mentions Tychicus Onesimus Aristarchus Mark
3) Paul mentions names to bring to life the letter. To make it more personable and to let them know they are not alone.
4) I pray regularly. I begin my day with the morning prayers, I regularly do prayer walks and most nights the spirit awakens me and tells me who to pray for. Ever since I became a believer I have interceded on behalf of the church.
5) showing hospitality, offering continuous prayer, greeting each other with kindness
1.What directives does Paul give in this passage?
To be steadfast in prayer, and be thankful
2. Which people does Paul mention?
Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark
3. Why does Paul list people?
To refer to specific people they know.
4. How continuously do you pray?
I pray daily, and often during the day as thoughts/things come up.
5. How could your life reflect the faithfulness of Paul’s companions more?
Stop judging people, go out of my way to help.