A Key Part of the Apostle Paul’s Success as a Disciplemaker

Colossians 4:2–4
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” 

2 Thessalonians 3:1–2
“Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.” 

Romans 1:14–16
“I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” 

2 Corinthians 5:20
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” 

Acts 19:9–10
“But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.” 

Acts 20:27
“For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” 

1 Corinthians 11:1
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” 

Prayer: The Key to Paul’s Disciplemaking Success

The prayers of the saints were a key part of the Apostle Paul’s success in fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20). The Lord assigned Paul a particular people to reach—the Gentiles and the Jews (Acts 9:15). When the Jews rejected the gospel, Paul focused on ministering among the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7–9). He depended entirely on the Lord to open the door of faith to the people He sent him to (Acts 14:27).

In the same way, only God can establish the Great Commission across the United States and halt the decline into a godless or false-god culture. If discipleship is not practiced in our homes and churches, the “god of this age” wins. But when discipleship is faithfully practiced, the culture will grow spiritually rich—benefiting, satisfying, and completing the people (Romans 12:2b).

The beginning and the end of fulfilling the Great Commission is God Himself—our Creator and the Savior from sin and Satan. He has called us to ask for His will to be done, and His will is clear: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19–20).

What We Will See When We Pray

As we pray for God to establish disciplemaking in the home and the local church, we will see:

  • Families practicing Deuteronomy 6:4–7—teaching God’s Word diligently to their children.

  • Church leaders praying, planning, and implementing disciplemaking as the central ministry of the church.

  • God opening doors of faith within families and specific people to whom the local church is sent.

  • New believers being baptized and taught to obey all that Jesus commanded.

A Call to Prayer

We are called to devote ourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful (Colossians 4:2). I invite you to join me in praying for the Great Commission to be established across the USA.

Reread the June–October 2025 blogs on the Plethos Global website (plethosglobal.com)

Let’s imitate the Apostle Paul: 

  • Ask fellow believers to be devoted to prayer, pleading with God to open doors of faith to the people we are sent to.

  • Pray that the gospel will spread rapidly and be honored by all.

  • Live with the same sense of obligation to share the gospel with everyone.

  • Be eager and unashamed to share the gospel.

  • Teach the whole counsel of God to every disciple.

Remember, we are ambassadors of Christ, making God’s appeal to the people He loves – urging them to be reconciled to Him (2 Corinthians 5:20).

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Ray Haas