Colossians 4 - 12.11.24
Scripture
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2, NKJV)
Observation
Keep praying earnestly. Don’t just pray. Pray vigilantly. Pray with purpose. Pray intentionally. Pray as if your life depends on it, because your life does depend on it! Prayer is not our last resort, prayer is our first resort. Let us pray about everything. Let prayer be our second nature. Let prayer be as natural to us as breathing. Let us pray without ceasing (Thessalonians 5:17). Jesus taught us to watch and pray so that we do not fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38). We pray so that we can wear our spiritual armour, and stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:18, Ephesians 6:11).
The second part of the verse reminds us to be vigilant in prayer along with thanksgiving. The Bible instructs us to give thanks in everything, since this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Not being thankful is a sin (Romans 1:21). "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise" (Psalms 100:4). This verse tells us that thanksgiving is the key that opens the gates into God’s presence, and praise is the key that opens the access to his courts. Let us pray with thanksgiving and praise which adds additional power to our prayers. Thanksgiving is giving thanks to God for all his blessings to us individually and collectively. Praise is adoring God for his character, and for who he is. Praise and Thanksgiving go together, and take us through His gates and into His courts.
Application
Let us be people who pray vigilantly and intentionally. Jude says that we are building ourselves up on our most holy faith, when we pray according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:21). The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man or woman avails much (James 5:16). Let us have a thankful heart and lift our prayers to God with thanksgiving and praise, always.
Prayer
Father, I thank you for loving me and choosing me. Thank you for making me your child. Thank you for your presence which is always with me. Thank you for leading me with your eye. Thank you for your plans for me. Thank you for your hand on my life. I praise you, for you are faithful. I praise you, because there is none like you. You deserve all the praise, honor and glory. Help me to pray always. Help me to pray about everything. Help me to have a thankful heart, and to pray with thanksgiving and praise, as you have taught us. Help me Lord, because I can do nothing without you. (John 15:5). May your will be done in my life as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). Be glorified in everything I do and everything I am. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.
- Asha Chacko George