2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.ESV
Greek word translated continue is “Built on a root meaning ‘to be strong,
2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. NLT
Paul begins to end his letter to the Colossians in chapter 4. Reminding them of their responsibilities. One of those responsibilities was prayer.
Life Application Commentary makes this statement following this verse. “To devote themselves to prayer meant that they should be persistent and unwilling to give up. Even though their prayers seem to go unanswered.” Paul gave similar advice to the church in Thessalonica, when he says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray continually.
Let me ask you, have you ever become tired of praying? I’m not talking about praying when tired and accidentally falling asleep in mid conversation with God. But instead losing the drive to keep praying for something or someone. Or even remembering to block out time each day to pray? Paul uses the word devote in the NLT and I like the picture that word paints. Staying devoted to prayer and I would say also in prayer. To prayer and in prayer is a reflection of our faith in God to answer those prayers.
LABC says, “ Faith shouldn’t die if the answers come slowly, for the delay may be God’s way of working his will in our lives.”
God is still listening and present even when we feel tired of praying.He might not always answer in the ways we hope but God answers in the ways He knows is best.
Paul goes on to say two more actions, that believers should be alert in prayer. Perhaps he meant not falling asleep or maybe he is referring to being alert for God’s answers. And he reminds readers to keep being thankful, which he brings up at least 4 times in just this one letter.
2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. NLT
Paul encouraged the Colossian believers to persevere in prayer. This is good advice for us too. As we pray, we are reminded to keep our eyes on god. As we make prayer a daily priority, we are reminded to thank God for his help, and we become increasingly aware of his activity in our lives. When we are feeling weak, we can still come to God in prayer. He will then empower us to “keep at it.” As we turn to God in prayer, we embrace the power sufficient to meet our needs.
Keep praying my friends and don’t give up faith or hope.
Thanks for reading. I encourage you to read all of chapter 4 not just verse 2. Read the whole letter to the Colossians if you have time.
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