The passage
      v2. When the word "prayer" is used, it often conveys the idea of a "request" made to God, of intercessions (requests for others), or supplications (requests for ourselves). Yet, there are times when the word means something like "worship" - approaching God, addressing God, for the purpose of adoring him (adoration). Here, in this verse, as in 1:3, Paul encourages the prayer of thanksgiving. When we approach God we should be thankful for former mercies. Our prayer (approach to God) should also be "watchful", alert, aware of the trials of faith.
      v3-4. Paul asks his readers to pray for him. His special task is to make known the gospel to the Gentiles, so he asks for evangelistic opportunities (open doors). Although he is in prison, Paul is looking for opportunities to communicate the "mystery of Christ", or better, the mystery about Christ. Preaching the mystery means the same as preaching Christ, or preaching the gospel. The phrase "open door" is used elsewhere in the New Testament to describe access for the gospel, 1Cor.16:9, 2Cor.2:12. As well as access, Paul seeks prayer for clarity. He desires that his proclamation is understandable, "clear".
      v5. Initially, the Christian faith functioned under the legal approval of the Jewish religion, although it was not necessarily greatly loved by the Roman authorities. Increasingly Christianity came under suspicion, and as the bad press increased so did persecution and lost opportunities for the gospel. Paul therefore encourages his readers to act discreetly in their dealings with the wider secular community; they were to give no opportunity for bad press. Meanwhile, while peace prevailed, believers are to "redeem the time" - "make the most of every opportunity." While there is access for the gospel, we must not let the opportunities pass.
      v6. This verse may be a general exhortation to thoughtful, sensitive, caring speech, but it is more likely parallel to Peter's words, "always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence", 1Pet.3:15. Jesus promises us the words to say when given an opportunity to communicate the gospel (Lk.21:15), and so here, Paul calls on his readers to live out what they believe. As a gift of "grace", the Spirit will give us the right words, cf. Act.6:10. Our words will be inspired, not insipid, but rather salted. "Salt" here means "wit" - sharp, true and to the point.

Open and closed doors
      In his final exhortation to the Colossians, Paul tends to focus on the business of evangelism. He encourages his readers to devote themselves to prayer, and particularly, to pray for his evangelistic ministry. On their part, they must take care how they relate to those outside the Christian fellowship, not acting in a way that brings the church into disrepute, but rather using every opportunity to display Christ. They must therefore act and speak wisely when sharing their faith.
      Paul's specific prayer-point is for an open door for the gospel. He asks "that God may open a door for our message." The phrase "open door" is used elsewhere in the New Testament and is found in common use today. Believers often pray for an open door in the sense of God preparing a future pathway for ministry and of revealing that pathway. Believers often say something like, "I am unsure what the Lord wants me to do, but I have prayed that he will open a door for me." "I thought I should do X, but the Lord closed this door and opened another for me." Paul actually uses this idea of an "open door" in relation to his vision at Troas. His move from Asia to Europe was, for him, an "open door" for ministry provided by the Lord himself. Yet, it was in the context of gospel ministry.
      The problem with open and closed doors is that the Lord did not promise to map-out our life's journey. In fact, he promised troubles, Satanic opposition through the circumstances of life. Since Satan "has been given" "authority" over the "kingdom's of the world" (Lk.4:5-7), it is very unwise to seek direction in life though the vagaries of circumstance. In fact, we may be better off pressing forward at closed doors, given that Satan probably closed them. He is more likely to frustrate the course of the gospel than encourage it. Still, it really is not possible to second-guess Satan, so it is best just to make our life-decisions on the basis of Biblical principles rather than the vagaries of circumstance.
      The idea of "open doors" in the Bible, reflects God's sovereign intention to gather a people to himself and to do this through the instrument of grace. God's grace in Christ is not just for Israel, but for all people. His grace is evident for all humanity to see. Those who seek after the living God in Christ, will find him. God will reveal himself to them and, on the basis of Christ's righteous work, will gather them to himself. The display of God's grace is realized in the message of the gospel, witnessed by Christ's faithful disciples. So, let us pray for open doors, but in these terms: "Lord, use even me to reach your lost children. Give me the words to say, and open the way before me to touch the seeker with your Word."