COLOSSIANS 4:2 – Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
Every Christian will find themselves crying out to the Lord like the disciples – Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1). The late D.M. Lloyd-Jones said of prayer, “The person I am worried about is the one who has no difficulty about prayer, there is certainly something wrong about him. If you have never had difficulty in prayer, it is absolutely certain that you have never prayed.” God, Himself, knew the struggle His children would have with prayer. He actually sent His Holy Spirit into our hearts to help us pray – Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26).
Prayer is vital to a healthy walk with the Lord Jesus. Why? Communication. Healthy relationships require honest, open, heart-to-heart communication. In regard to prayer, it is the language of love between our reconciled God and us. And when it comes to this type of communication, today’s scripture offers us three elements toward developing an effective prayer life. May we pray the Lord will help us toward each one.
First, an effective prayer life begins with a commitment to consistency – continue steadfastly in prayer. This means knowing how important prayer is that we won’t allow it to be neglected. And remember, we will always make time for what is important to us.
Next, effective prayer is to be viewed as not only the language of love with the Lord but the means of being on spiritual watch against enemies to our prayer lives like distractions, busyness, and hurriedness. The Apostle Paul tells us to be “watchful in prayer,” indicating a solider on watch mentality. Prayer is not only for our intimacy with God but to be a sentinel over our heart protecting it from the foes wanting to keep us from prayer.
Finally, and extremely important, is ensure our prayer life is grounded and saturated with thanksgiving. Strive to make the giving of thanks a dominant part of our communication with the Lord. When it comes to the areas of thanksgiving and especially in prayer, realize that the mark of a Spirit-filled and controlled Christian is a life of thanksgiving and that in all things – And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:18-21).
An effective prayer life is to be pursued by all believers. It is the gateway to enjoying communion with God and experiencing more and more of His joy and love. May the Lord help us develop prayer lives that reflect a close walk with Him.
PRAYER: “Father, teach me how to pray beyond just mere words sent to heaven.”
QUOTE: “Thanksgiving is to be a consistent virtue and practice in all our praying.”