Keep Praying with Thanksgiving

I will be thankful because:  I can watch and pray.

November 30, 2019

"Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving."

Colossians 4:2

“Continue in prayer,”
As Paul ends his letter to the Colossians, he admonishes his brothers and sisters to be faithful in prayer.  He tells them to “continue in prayer.”[1]  The word means to “continue steadfastly.”[2]  In the New Testament, it is used concerning prayer several times.

“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication…” (Acts 1:14).

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).

“But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4).

“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

“Continue”:”—it is implied that prayer is no mere spiritual luxury or interlude; it is sacred business, with its difficulties and its labour.” [3]

Prayer is the privilege of communicating our heart’s need with the God of heaven.  It is something that we need to do regularly and continually.

“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

“And watch in the same”
Living in the “end times” calls for living with vigilance.  Jesus told His disciples to,

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).

The Cambridge Bible notes, picture the world as in a coma, but believers as being watchful in these last days.

“Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is” (Mark 13:33).[4]

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame” (Revelation 16:15).

“With thanksgiving.”
Paul reminds his friends to be thankful when they pray.  Why is such a reminder necessary?  It seems that a grateful heart ought to be the norm for believers.  It should be, but when we begin to feel the pressures of life, and we are under persecution and trials that we tend to have short memories.  It’s not that we are unthankful, but in hardship, we tend to not remember the Lord’s goodness and grace as clearly.  Paul sees the need for a special mention of being thankful.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17).

 

Dear Lord, I thank you for the privilege of prayer. Help me to be ever watchful in these end-time days. And Lord, help my heart always to be thankful!

 

 

 

[1] This imperative is in the present tense, indicating continuous, or repeated action.
[2] See Robertson and Vincent.
[3] Cambridge Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[4] For being watchful, see also Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:37; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; and 1 Peter 5:8.