Continue Earnestly In Prayer With Vigilance And Thanksgiving

-October 13, 2021-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”

(Colossians 4:2).

Paul encourages every believer to pray. It something everyone of us can do. It requires no special training, but it does not mean it is easy. The devil will fight us every step of the way. To be effective, we must be consistent, seek the Lord’s will, and have a heart to pray for others. It is so rewarding to see our prayers answered, though sometimes it may take years.

The word earnestly is defined as, “with sincere and intense conviction; seriously. In the NT, the word earnest, is the Greek word sophroneo, coming from a term meaning “to be in one’s right mind.” When we pray, we use our minds that have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:7, “But the end of all things is hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.” Are your prayers characterized by seriousness and watchfulness? There is power in prayer, especially when we join together to pray as one before the Lord. Sadly, the prayer meeting in many churches no longer exists.

We have prayer warriors in our church and we send out messages by telephone to pray about certain urgent needs. It has been a real blessing, especially during the pandemic when we were meeting virtually. We started it long before it started and will continue until the Lord comes. When we pray earnestly we must do so with vigilance and thanksgiving. We also a have Men’s prayer meeting on Monday nights and Bible Study with prayer on Wednesday nights.

Vigilance is a word that means, “the action or state of keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.” It reminds us of when Jesus and His disciples went out to the Garden of Gethsemane just prior to His arrest and subsequent crucifixion. He left them for a time and prayed to the Father. Sadly, they fell asleep. Jesus said in Matthew 26:41, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

There is the term vigilante, which is when someone who takes the law into their own hands. It is not a positive thing, even though their motives may be good. In terms of prayer, though, we should be spiritual vigilantes who don’t give up, and join our efforts to bring down spiritual strongholds controlled by the devil. Prayer is a great weapon in our spiritual warfare against the devil and his demons.

Whenever we pray we should thank the Lord; when we bring our requests before the throne of grace we should thank the Him for hearing our requests and for the answers we will receive. Then when God answers our prayers, we should thank Him.

Let us then continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. God is looking for prayer warriors, spiritual vigilantes, who are committed to Him and to prayer no matter what. There is power in prayer because we pray in power to God who is all powerful. Don’t leave home without praying, but also keep praying through the day. Paul wrote, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Have a blessed day in prayer with earnestness, vigilance, and thanksgiving. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean