We are continuing in our study of prayer as part of the PPOG or the Predestination provided for the believer by God in eternity past as described Eph 1:3-5; Rom 8:29; for the purpose of determining just how and what we should pray for.
At the moment we are examining Paul's prayers and we have seen in that the focus in his prayers in Eph 1:18; Eph 3:14; Phil 1:3; and Col 1:9; was been for believers to appropriate by Grace the spiritual resources that God has provided and be enlightened, and empowered for their advance in God's plan for their lives.
We are now going to examine another group of Paul’s prayer requests where we have a mandate and petition for prayer support starting in Col 4:2-4;
This passage and Eph 6:18-20; are the most complete descriptions Paul gives of an all-around prayer life that is disciplined and effective.
His focus is on prayer in Col 4:2-4; but Paul’s request for prayer on behalf of his witnessing in in this passage provides an example that can be used by every believer for their own personal outreach to the unsaved through intercessionary prayer by requesting opportunities and effectiveness in their own personal witnessing as well as for the effective witnessing of the Evangelists and Missionaries they are aware of.
This fits within the context of Paul’s challenge to believers to have a new attitude which is consistent with their new relationship with God as a result of their union with TLJC. Col 3:1–4; to put away the old style of life Col 3:5–11; to put on the new manner of behavior Col 3:12–17), which results in relationships with others that is based on the believer's relationship with God and the thinking of TLJC as revealed in Bible Doctrine and taught by the mentorship of God the Holy Spirit. Col 3:18; Col 4:6;

He discusses this new approach as it affects relationships within the Christian home Col 3:18–21), The relationships between slaves and masters or workers and management Col 3:22; -Col 4:1; and the believer's relationship to the unsaved in our passage Col 4:2-6;

In this passage, Paul calls for believers to have devotion to intercessory prayer at God’s throne of Grace.

Col 2:2; The words “Devote yourselves” are translated from the Present Active Imperative of the Greek word " proskartereo" which refers to the action of, “staying with or persisting in,” “adhering to,” “being engaged in,” or“occupying oneself" with persistent diligence.

The present tense describes continuous linear action, and the imperative mood makes it a command.

"Proskartereo” is also used in Acts 1:14; where it used to describe the disciples continuous devotion to prayer in the first days of the church age right after Pentecost in the year that TLJC was Crucified, Buried, Resurrected, and had Ascended to the right hand of the father.

Every decision in the apostolic period, and in the whole life of the early church, was sustained by persistent prayer. In this prayer Christians with thanksgiving and worship brought their decisions and their cause as petitions to God, seeking guidance and direction and clarity from Him.

This persistence in prayer was established by looking at the example of Jesus during his life on this planet in unglorified humanity.

We see that Jesus, was often in night-long prayer, Luke 5:16; Luke 6:12; where he brought His decisions, and those connected with them, before God.

As the Son, and according to the PPOG for his life, he sought to do the Father’s work in an ever new situation and to be in unity with the will and intention and nature of the Father, to receive power for this purpose, and to realize that He was hidden in the Father’s hand. Heb 10:5-7;

He not only instructed His disciples to pray, Matt 6:5-15; but He also taught them to persist in prayer Luke 18:1-8;

Just remember that the so called "Lord's Prayer" that is often recited was only appropriate for Israel during the dispensation of the unglorified Humanity of TLJC because It requests the institution of His millennial reign, which cannot be fulfilled until the Second Advent of TLJC.

The second advent does not happen until after the exit resurrection or rapture of the church, and the 7 year tribulation period therefore, it cannot apply and will not be answered at this time... prayer has to be requested according to Bible Doctrine in order for it to be answered. John 15:7;

Jesus' prayer for believer's today in the Church Age is in John 17;

The type of prayer that Jesus taught involved a different attitude and approach to prayer than what was customary in Judaism at the time, which had fixed hours and patterns and rituals for prayer based on a legalistic and religious interpretation of the Levitical system.

The disciples continued this dedication to prayer which they had seen in Jesus and which He commanded them regarding, and they passed it on to the early church.

This new approach to prayer is based in the new relationship that church age believers have with God through their union with TLJC. This is the same relationship that Jesus had with the Father and which he conveyed to Church age believers as children of God, the new spiritual species.

Prayer seeks the Father’s will and guidance in human need and indecision. When the apostles, as leaders of the early church, recognized the need to assign to others the work associated with the physical needs of the local assembly they made the appointments with prayer. Acts 6:1-6;

Luke describes the early Church and it's devotion (Proskartereo) to prayer as a community in Acts 2:42;

Their persistence in teaching, fellowship, and prayer was a practical fulfillment of the direction of the Lord to “continue in my word” John. 8:31; just is it is today.

In Rom. 12:12;" Proskartereo" is used regarding the believer's devotion to prayer as part of their function in the body of Christ along with their rejoicing in their absolute confident expectation of Divine Good in the midst of the tribulation they were facing, and it is also used to describe the dedication of those in government who are responsible for collecting taxes. Rom 13:6;

In Acts 2:46; "Proskartereo" is used to describe how believers in Jerusalem spent time in prayer daily at the temple.

"Proskartereo" is used when Jesus told His disciples that a boat should “stand ready continually,” and be ready in the event that the crowd would come toward him as he was standing at the water's edge while he was teaching. Mark. 3:9;

Col 4:2; The" devotion" is to “prayer.” The word translated "prayer" is "proseuche” which includes all the aspects of prayer that we have seen, (praise, thanksgiving, confession, petition, intercession.)

The word order in this verse in the original Greek language is “To prayer be devoted,” emphasizing the critical role of prayer in the Christian life.

Just as faith is compatible with grace, the believer's devotion to prayer is compatible with faith. Prayer->> Faith->> Grace

It is through their devotion to prayer that the believer's faith is demonstrated. Matt 21:21-22;