Crossroads Church

SOAP = Scripture Observation Application Prayer

James Brown

S: Colossians 4:2-6 "Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone."

O: When I read this passage, there were a few words and phrases that jumped out at me:

-prayer
-alert mind
-many opportunities
-concerning Christ
-live wisely
-not believers
-make the most
-gracious and attractive
-right response

A: I don't know that I pray like this very much. I frequently pray for those in my life who are "not believers"...but I rarely ask God to make me the answer to my own prayer.

From these verses it looks like I need to ask God to do two things - (1) to do something to me and (2) to do something for me.

Something to me - clarity of mind in doctrine (what I believe about God) and clarity of life in behavior (how I act as a result of what I believe) - I need to become alert and thankful, wise, gracious, attractive (people want what you have - life, peace, relationship with God, etc.), and ready.

Something for me - create opportunities and conversations - new relationships - open doors to walk through.

This type of thinking and praying is much different than what I usually do. But I want it because I want the people around me to know God's "mysterious plan concerning Christ."

P: Father, wake me up and make me the answer to my own prayers! Amen.

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