40 Days of PRAYER - 06
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of PRAYER
Day 06 | STEADFAST IN PRAYER
40 Days of PRAYER
Day 06 | STEADFAST IN PRAYER
STEADFAST IN PRAYER
Colossians 4:2
“Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.” (AMP)
The ESV version says it this way… “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
It’s interesting to me to do an internet search and find all the sites about “How to pray effectively.” Most everyone wants to know about prayer, how to pray, when to pray, who to pray to, and how to get answers to those prayers.
In these verses, the Holy Spirit led Paul to teach the church at Colossi – and us – some keys to an effective prayer life.
The first key is to “continue steadfastly in prayer.” It parallels what Paul taught in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.”
I often use the analogy that, compared to God, we are all like the typical 2-year-old child. We THINK we know everything, but alas – as the wise parent knows – we are only two.
I can remember when our daughters were young. They would sometimes see something on TV that they wanted and ask for it. Often though, in just a few days, they had forgotten about it and moved on.
We are sometimes like that with God. We ask for something but then forget about it or change our minds and move on.
Being “steadfast” means to keep at it. Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask, and it will be given.” The verb in Greek means “ask and keep on asking.” THAT is being steadfast in prayer.
Then Paul adds: “being watchful” and staying awake in prayer, not getting weary, praying meaningful prayers.
And then finally, “with thanksgiving.” Young children have to be taught to be thankful for the presents they receive. We, too, need to be grateful to our Heavenly Father for the gifts HE gives us, including answered prayers.
Prayer: LORD, I don’t mean to forget ALL the things you have done for me and all the prayers you have answered. Help me to remember to be more steadfast in my praying and thankful to YOU. Amen.
Colossians 4:2
“Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.” (AMP)
The ESV version says it this way… “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
It’s interesting to me to do an internet search and find all the sites about “How to pray effectively.” Most everyone wants to know about prayer, how to pray, when to pray, who to pray to, and how to get answers to those prayers.
In these verses, the Holy Spirit led Paul to teach the church at Colossi – and us – some keys to an effective prayer life.
The first key is to “continue steadfastly in prayer.” It parallels what Paul taught in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.”
I often use the analogy that, compared to God, we are all like the typical 2-year-old child. We THINK we know everything, but alas – as the wise parent knows – we are only two.
I can remember when our daughters were young. They would sometimes see something on TV that they wanted and ask for it. Often though, in just a few days, they had forgotten about it and moved on.
We are sometimes like that with God. We ask for something but then forget about it or change our minds and move on.
Being “steadfast” means to keep at it. Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask, and it will be given.” The verb in Greek means “ask and keep on asking.” THAT is being steadfast in prayer.
Then Paul adds: “being watchful” and staying awake in prayer, not getting weary, praying meaningful prayers.
And then finally, “with thanksgiving.” Young children have to be taught to be thankful for the presents they receive. We, too, need to be grateful to our Heavenly Father for the gifts HE gives us, including answered prayers.
Prayer: LORD, I don’t mean to forget ALL the things you have done for me and all the prayers you have answered. Help me to remember to be more steadfast in my praying and thankful to YOU. Amen.
Posted in PRAYER