2 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 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— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” Colossians 4:2–4 (ESV)
The reading, studying and application of God’s Word, corporate along with individual worship, communion or fellowship with fellow believers and the sharing of the gospel to the lost are indispensable disciplines and responsibilities for each believer in Christ. Along with these is the discipline and practice of prayer. If God is speaking to the believer through His inerrant Word, then the believer speaks to God through the privilege of prayer.
Prayer lays hold of God’s plan and becomes the link between his will and its accomplishment on earth. Amazing things happen, and we are given the privilege of being the channels of the Holy Spirit’s prayer. — Elisabeth Elliot
Prayer must carry on our work as much as preaching; he preaches not heartily to his people that will not pray for them. — Richard Baxter
Groanings which cannot be uttered are often prayers which cannot be refused. — Charles H. Spurgeon
Work, work, from morning until late at night. In fact, I have so much to do that I shall have to spend the first three hours in prayer. — Martin Luther
Study your prayers, a great part of my time is spent getting in tune for prayer. — Robert M. McCheyne
“Prayer is the easiest and hardest of all things; the simplest and the most sublime; the weakest and the most powerful; its results lie outside the range of human possibilities-they are limited only by the omnipotence of God.” ~ Edward McKendree Bounds
The phrase continue steadfastly (προσκαρτερεῖτε; proskartereite) is a present active imperative verb. It means to be devoted, to persist obstinately, and to persevere. The Bible commands believers in Christ to continue steadfastly, to persist obstinately, and to persevere faithfully in prayer.
“The Greek word for “continue” means “to be courageously persistent” or “to hold fast and not let go” and refers here to persistent prayer (Acts 1:14; Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18; 1 Thess. 5:17; cf. Luke 11:5–10; 18:1–8),” states Dr. John MacArthur.
Not only are believers in Christ to continue steadfastly in prayer, but we are also to be watchful in prayer. The word watchful (γρηγοροῦντες; gregorountes) is a present active participle. To be watchful means to be awake and on the alert in prayer.
Along with being steadfast and watchful, the believer in Christ must also be grateful in prayer. Thanksgiving (εὐχαριστίᾳ; eucharistia) refers to gratitude to God.
John Calvin writes, “Paul returns to general exhortations, in which we must not expect an exact order, for in that case he would have begun with prayer, but Paul had not an eye to that. Farther, as to prayer, he commends here two things; first, assiduity; secondly, alacrity, or earnest intentness. For, when he says, continue, he exhorts to perseverance, while he makes mention of watching in opposition to coldness, and listlessness.”
“He adds, thanksgiving, because God must be solicited for present necessity in such a way that, in the meantime, we do not forget favors already received. Farther, we ought not to be so importunate as to murmur, and feel offended if God does not immediately gratify our wishes, but must receive contentedly whatever he gives. Thus, a twofold giving of thanks is necessary. As to this point something has also been said in the Epistle to the Philippians.” (Philippians 4:6.)
As believers in Christ worship the Lord on this day, referred to in Scripture as the “Lord’s Day (Rev. 1:9-10), let us resolve once again, or for the first time, to be people of God who are know for being continually steadfast, watchful and grateful in prayer.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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