**

Praying 

1.

Read v. 2. What does it mean to “devote” oneself to prayer? (1Th 5:17; Luke 18:1-8) Why is it necessary for one to be “watchful” and “thankful” in prayer (Matthew 26:41, Luke 21:36; 1Th 5:18, James 1:17)? 

** One of the meanings of the word “devote” is “to continue” (KJV). In essence it means to be faithful in praying. It is possible that one starts praying in earnest, but as time passes, mistakenly thinking that God does not answer ones prayer, one might stop praying, and try to solve the problem on his own. 

This is particularly true in praying for unsaved souls. In offering prayers to the Lord for his world mission purposes, we should not pray half-heartedly. We must do it persistently, with an absolute attitude, all the way until the second coming of Jesus. 

** It is necessary because unless we watch out even during prayer, we render ourselves vulnerable to the devil’s temptations. Some people fast for forty days. Because of this, their body becomes really weak. Then the devil shows them a false vision, and thereby makes them become the founder of a cult organization. Some people lose themselves completely in prayer. Then, after prayer they lose a sense of reality. They keep walking on clouds, start thinking erratically, and become really proud. The important point for us to remember is that God is the God of order. And prayer also should be offered in an orderly fashion. Paul explained this concept by saying in 1Co 14:15, “So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.” It has been said, “Heart is for God, and mind is for truth.” Speaking in the same vein Paul says, “Keep your head in all situations” (2Ti 4:5). 

One of the best ways to prevent oneself from falling into the devil’s temptations in practicing devoted prayer is to always base one’s prayer on God’s word. So before, during, and after prayer always keep the Bible close in your heart and mind. Never separate prayer from God’s word. 

** 1) God never likes anyone who complains all the time. This is particularly true in responding to the prayers offered by people. For example, if a husband does not love his wife and therefore does not offer prayers with his wife with many thanks, even if he prays ever so diligently God does not bless that person. Jesus explained this concept in the parable of unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:25-35. 

2) Thankfulness is an expression of faith that believes that every good and perfect gift is from God. So in time of hardship and ordeal, we need to offer prayers believing in God’s provision and protection, and we must do so even with many thanks. Jesus set a good example when he prayed with thanks to God for the five loaves and two fish as a dinner for 5,000. Another good example is King Jehoshaphat marching into the battlefield against the Moabites and Ammonites singing and giving thanks to God and thereby garnering a smashing victory over these enemies. 2Chronicles 20

** 

Proclaiming the Word 

2. 

Read vs. 3-4 and consider the following prayer topics: 

God may open a door for our message; 

that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ; and 

Pray that I may proclaim it clearly. 

What do they have in common? Why are these prayers needed?   

** They all have one thing in common, that is, proclaiming God’s Word. The message or the mystery of Christ means God’s will to save the Gentiles by faith in Jesus’ gospel. 

** They are needed: 

1) Because on many occasions God waits for his servants to pray to Him for the door to be opened. Examples: a) The Apostle Paul’s examples as they are recorded in the book of Acts such as Paul praying for the gospel to be exported to the Gentile world,  and God blessing his prayers by showing the vision of  a Macedonian call. Acts 16:9 b) Dr. Samuel Lee asking all UBF members to pray  for the way for the gospel to be preached to the former USSR in 1985. Then in five years, the Lord answered the prayer. 

2) The devil does not like people to be saved. So the devil always interferes with the work of the gospel. But when we pray, the Lord God who is stronger than the strong Satan keeps the devil either out of the way or turns the devil’s schemes into powerful opportunities to preach the gospel and save more than one could expect. Examples: a) The religious leaders of Jesus’ day persecuted Jesus. But God used this as the basis to open the way of salvation, that is, Jesus’ death and resurrection. b) The religious leaders of the day of the disciples persecuted them, but Peter used this opportunity to preach the gospel more powerfully than ever. Acts 1-3. 

** A lot of people are ashamed of sharing the gospel, for to many the message of gospel is foolishness. 1Co 1:23 So it requires a lot of courage. This is why Paul asked for prayer support. In Paul’s day the Jews did all they could do to prevent the gospel from getting into the world of the Gentiles. By the same token, in our own generation, the devil generates all kinds of gimmicks to keep God’s people from proclaiming Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior. Without exception, these problems are way beyond our capacity. But when we pray God helps us overcome them, and boldly preach the gospel to the world.

** When we pray, God sends down his Holy Spirit to his servants. Then the Holy Spirit helps us to deliver the message more clearly than ever. One example: the members of  the early church numbering about 120 devoted themselves to prayer, so Peter was filled with the Spirit, who then enabled him to deliver powerful messages with clear points. See Peter’s five sermons recorded in Acts.

**

Witnessing 

3. 

Read vs. 5-6. What can we learn from the following statements in witnessing to the lost: 

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; 

make the most of every opportunity; and

let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone?

** Here, outsiders refer to those who are not yet members of God’s family. In coming in contact with them Paul says that we need to become good witnesses to them by:

1) Setting a good example (such as paying taxes, keeping promises, etc.);

2) Look for an opportune time to invite them to  Bible studies (like Msn. Elijah Park of Maryland UBF reserving a seat in a class for a fellow student, and thereby establishing rapport with that student, and then at God’s right time inviting that student to Bible study)

3) Knowing how to deal with all the negative views surrounding the whole idea of becoming a Christian. So many unbelievers are stuffed with all kinds of wrong concepts and misunderstandings about the Bible and Jesus Christ. But we should not be judgmental. Rather, we need to ask God for wisdom in witnessing to them, in words that may appeal to them, and motivate them to have the desire to study God’s word. 

The end.