The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 4:2-4, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

3 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, for which I have also been imprisoned;

4 in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.”

Always the teacher, Paul commences his wrap-up of the Colossian Letter by a heavy emphasis on prayers. “Devote” (????????????, proskartereo, meaning “attend to with continuing resoluteness; maintain close adherence; persist in.” What’s more, keep alert in prayer. We are to approach God as God, keeping mindful that we are to maintain an attitude of thanksgiving.

Furthermore, prayers from a clean, honest, spiritual heart open “a door for the Word!” People who will not listen and even sternly resist the Word (the Bible) can have their hearts opened to hear the Word when we effectively pray.

At the same time, our prayers open the mysteries of Jesus Christ, things about Him and things He’s said that are

contained in the Bible – things that otherwise, we could not understand.

Do you get the idea that Paul believed in prayer? He sure did! I am attaching with this Letter a Chart on Prayer.

Start at the top and work downward on the Chart. Begin your prayers by praising the LORD! Praise Him for everything you can think of that He has provided for you. Continue by acknowledging His sovereignty. God does

what He wants. Then thank Him for His Divine Provisions: food, shelter, health, etc. –all of which are governed by the LORD Himself. Pray that He will keep you free from Satan and all of his tricks. Finally give thanks and praise Him

as you did at the beginning of your prayer.

You will discover new things that He has provided, so your prayers won’t become stale or ritualistic! He is your Father! Talk to Him like you talk to a father. There are no “special words,” just loving, praise for all He has done.

God bless you abundantly, as you pray!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. You can thank Him for Samaritan’s Purse, those who gave the Gospel to Whitney Tilson! Pray for the President and Vice President,

the Secretary of State, Secretary of Education –all of whom are born-again Christians. We have no idea how powerful God is!

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need until He becomes all that we have.”