Continue in Prayer

Continue in Prayer

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

Colossians 4:2

By the time Paul had arrived at the point at which he had in the writing of his epistles to the Colossians, he was setting forth exhortations to them of a very practical nature for which he had already laid the doctrinal groundwork.  The reading of the first three chapters of the Epistle, is like re-charging a spiritual battery.  Paul makes much of Christ in order to remind his readers that Christ has done marvelous things for us and that is the foundation of the practical exhortations.  We ‘once were alienated’ but, Christ has reconciled us to God through the work on the cross.   We have been ‘made perfect in Christ.’  We have been ‘raised with Christ,’  ‘hidden with Christ’ and ‘forgiven.’  We are the ‘elect of God, holy and beloved,’ we ‘serve the Lord Jesus Christ.’  What a glorious motivation for living!

All these reminders of Christ lay the groundwork for the specific exhortation we find before us today; ‘Continue in prayer.’  It is evident from Paul’s use of language that he knew them to be a praying people already, or else he would not have exhorted them to ‘continue.’  It is a good testimony for us to have among the people of God, in particular for our ministers who ‘watch for (our) souls,’ that we are a praying people.  These folk needed encouragement to ‘continue in prayer.’  As much as we believe in the necessity, power, and virtue of prayer, we can all ‘grow weary in well-doing,’ and be much in need of a word in our ear to encourage us to ‘continue in prayer.’  It was important as well, according to Paul, that they ‘watch’ in prayer.  Along with their prayerfulness there was to be an accompanying spiritual alertness which would enable them to move at the Spirit’s bidding to even be the instrument which the Lord might use to speak the ‘word in season’ to one of the souls for whom they had been praying.  Our praying ought to be with that same alert quality. No one else shows us a clearer example of ‘continuing in prayer,’ than Christ Himself. How often do we observe Him praying ‘without ceasing.’ He, at certain times, ‘answers’ His Father without there being any apparent preceding conversation. This shows us the continuing prayerful conversation which He maintained with His Father. The Holy Spirit is utterly capable of enabling us to thus, ‘continue in prayer.’

In addition, Paul exhorts the Colossians to be thankful for what they would receive in answer to their praying.  Among ourselves we count it to be a social grace to express thanks for benefits received.  How much more should we exercise that spiritual grace of thanksgiving to God for answers to prayer.  Christ, Himself evidenced His thankfulness to His Father for answered prayer.  Today, let us collectively, as members of Christ’s Body continue in prayer, and watch in the same way with thanksgiving.

Our God and Father,

teach us to pray, as Christ prayed,

and enable us to remain steadfast

and close to You.

Where the Bush is Burning

Tomm Tice