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Pray

Paul opens his letters with a prayer and ends his letters with a prayer.

These sentences are not just salutations. They are prayers to God to give grace, peace, love, and mercy to the saints from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a real happening.

Here are several prayers of salvation:

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24)

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty… For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:35, 40)

For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)

At the end of his letters, Paul asked for prayer.

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. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:18-20)

Notice how often: at all times, with perseverance.
How? In the Spirit.
For whom? For all the saints and for himself.
What about? Whenever he opens his mouth.
The content: mystery of the gospel.
How? With boldness.
Proclaiming the gospel: with boldness, as he ought to speak.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. (Colossians 4:2-4)

The Colossian saints were to be devoted in prayer, staying awake with an attitude of thanksgiving. They were also to pray for Paul and Timothy that God would open a door for the word so that they might speak of the mystery of Christ. He wants to make the gospel very clear in the way God wants him to speak.

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