Colossians 4:2-3

Recurrent Thought

Every local church assembly is called upon to engage in Prayers that seek for the installation of the Church in locations where the Gospel of Jesus is never found

 Apostolic Intercession focuses on praying for opening of regions with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. These are prayers that seek revivals for Cities and for the Body of Christ in the nations. As Paul wraps up the letter, he encourages the church to pray for him and his team to excel in their apostolic function.

Generally, Pauline Epistles have the following sections: Salutations, Paul’s Prayers, Doctrinal Teaching, Application, and Short Stand-Alone Exhortations and Greetings of Specific people. As we close the book of Colossians. We come to last section with four Short Stand-alone exhortations. They include: Prayer, Wisdom, Speech and then the identification and celebration of his apostolic friends. The kind of prayer found in Colossians 4:2-3 is Apostolic Intercession for it activates the apostolic function.

The word Apostello from which we get the English noun Apostle means to be sent with a specified purpose. When this is done, "the envoy has full powers and is the personal representative of the one sending them (Math. 28:18-20).  Apostolic vocation is a delegated function on behalf of a sovereign (King), in this case God. It is an ambassadorial call, where one represents a King in another region with the sole purpose of opening a new commission in that region.

We must hasten to state that there is an extended meaning of the word Apostolic. The word Apostle can also be used for a vigorous and pioneering advocate or supporter of a particular policy, idea, or cause. For example, a person who has worked diligently for a cause beginning with its foundation can be referred to as an apostle i.e. an apostle of free-market economics.” A person who initiates a great moral reform or who first advocates an important belief or system is usually called an apostle in that discipline.

• An apostle is a person who begin things, societies, and interventions again and again.
• An Apostle is like a serial entrepreneur, who begins enterprises again and again
• An Apostle is like a serial innovator or inventor who starts new products again and again

Basic to Apostolic Intercession is walking in the power of the Spirit to bring order both in the natural and spiritual realms for the sake of planting churches. Apostolic intercession is praying that the church be established in specific geographical regions. It involves canceling and pulling down demonic activities in order that the reign of God is installed in an area. Here are four Elements of Apostolic Intercession

1.  Apostolic Intercession Embraces Intense Perseverance
   • The word“continue” in this text means to apply with zeal and diligence to any difficult and laborious thing.
   • This exhortation is a word to neglectors of prayer. It demands for one to steadfastly to pray. It is a word to the forgetters of private devotion that they should continuously pray
   • To continue in prayer demands, increase in frequency of prayer (Luke18:1; 1Th_5:17). Apostolic Intercession means we continue to pray until the doors that are shut get open
   • Continuous (unceasing) prayingis the capacity that ensures we obtain what we seek (Luke 18:1-8)
   • Apostolic Intercession seeks to open doors for the gospel at all times. Pray in all circumstances. Pray in adversity, pray in prosperity. Pray while in the storm
   • Anything that is significant and trans-generational, demands we persevere in prayer. We mock God, when we seek transgenerational results of God so casually
   • Apostolic Intercession is grounded on the truth that every great revival, is preceded by persevering prayer.
   • Apostolic Intercession is Prayer to bring Forth New Things
   • Every new birth is accompanied by birth pangs. Gal 4:19  my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you (Isaiah 26:17-18; 37:3)
   • God responds to perseverance. Ask and keep on asking; seek and keep on seeking; knock and keep on knocking (Luke 11:9-13).
   • Answers are guaranteed, of course not always at once, but in God’s time; pray till that comes.
2. Apostolic Intercession demands Deliberate Alertness (Watchfulness) Eph. 6:18
   • Being watchful in prayer has two meanings. First, it means to spend longer time in prayer. Second, to watch in Faith to see what God reveals.
   • Men and Women of God are depicted as spending long times, sometimes sleepless nights in private devotion (Psa. 22:2; 77:6; Acts 16:25; Math 26:38-39; 2Cor. 6:5).
   • Apostolic Intercession encourages to remain watchful and demonstrate faith in Prayer. To this we are called by Christ (Mark 13:35-36; Rev. 3:2; 16:15); by Paul (1Cor.16:13; 1Th. 5:6); by Peter (1Pet. 5:8).
   • Apostolic Intercession demands to Watch for answers we have prayed for. When you post a letter to your friend you watch for the answer.
   • Apostolic Intercession watches for events that shows signs of revival, signs of breaking form. We cannot make the rains fall, but we can cultivate the ground and sow; and when the Spirit comes the crop grows.
   • Apostolic Intercession is a call against wandering thoughts while in Prayer
   • Apostolic Intercession is a call against unbelief in the word of God
   • This is a call against every form of dullness and heaviness. Always watch against what keeps you from praying.
3. Apostolic Intercession is grounded by a Grateful Heart
   • Christ-devoted followers show gratefulness for all blessings already granted to them. (Psa. 116:12).
   • Christ-devoted followers are thankful for things that are deferred by God. For these are possibly delayed till a more advantageous time.
   • It is a fact that at times, God, denies our prayers. Yet this does not disturb Christ-devoted followers; they are instead thankful because God knows things that would harm, distract or destroy us.Christ-devoted followers must know that human beings tend to ask and complain more instead of being grateful;
   • The truth is that ungrateful people are not fit to pray; ungrateful people will emphasis complaints in their prayers.
   • When You give some one you expect them to say thank You; God continues to graciously give us many things. Be grateful
   •  Apostolic Intercession is always mingled with thanksgiving
4. Apostolic Prayer Promotes the Declaration of the Gospel
   • Apostolic Intercession considers the tasks of ministers and makes them the center and focus of Prayer.
     Ministers work with people. They are caregivers and many times, however  they give that care it may not be appreciated. They receive criticism for various things. Members may complain that their pastors are: not simple enough or too simple, not profound enough, or not practical enough, or not interesting enough, or not searching enough. The question is there much prayer for them.
   • Intentional Prayer should be offered on behalf of Christian ministers. “Withal praying also for us” (Col_4:3).
   • I appreciate for the Intercessors of ICA, when they draw Prayer Points, they single out a Minister of the ICA once a week. This is being practical.
   • Prayers of the Saints are essential in imploring God’s protection and provision for the ministers of the Gospel
   • Foundational to every Church growth and development is that members must willingly pray for their own ministers.
   • What do you pray for when you pray for your Pastors?  Pray for open doors for the Word
     Without Open Doors both in space and hearts, the gospel finds resistance. Pray that their declaration will find open doors in the heart of the hearers and bring transformation. Pray that they have open doors, opportunity to preach here and wherever God calls and grants. Pray for open doors for the free flow of the gospel
   • Paul sought for prayer for open doors. Prayer must be offered, that opportunity may be afforded
   • What do you pray for when you pray for your Pastors?  Pray that they Speak the Mystery of Christ (“To speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds” (Col. 4:3).
   • Prayer is necessary for the Mysteries of Christ to be revealed. Without prayer cover, there is no showers of blessing.
     Pray that they may have preaching power. Pray for the anointing; pray for the unction of the Spirit. Pray that they will have the Liberty (freedom) to preach the gospel. Pray that despite the circumstances of their state, they have the courage to rebuke sin and proclaim the word of God without fear.
     Remember the Mystery of Christ, is a summary for the incarnation, death, and resurrection of God. Thus, to effectively deliver this, one must be anchored in prayer of the saints.
   • Apostolic Intercession produces courage in preachers to declare the counsel of God
   • The Word of God is powerful, but it can be resisted and be shut. When the Doors are closed, the word of God may seem imprisoned (1 Cor. 16: 9) 1Co 16:9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
   • Know that Doors shut and open. At different times due to various reasons doors may be closed to the Gospel. Persecution and discrimination can lead to the shutting of specific locations to the Gospel. But intentional, consistent and continued Prayers open doors.
   • All over the world, especially in the Western and Northern Hemisphere new philosophies and rights have been developed that essentially shuts down the preaching of the Gospel.

Conclusion

The Church is Apostolic that is why all its members can engage in Apostolic Intercession (Mathew 28: 20)

Altar of Prayer

1. Pray for the Growth of the Church in Malawi; Pray for the Revival in Churches of Malawi; Pray for the Church in Malawi to take advantage of God’s Season (2 Tim. 2: 4)
2. Pray that your trans-generational visions be birthed and developed by the Spirit of God