“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:2-4)
A basic definition of prayer is “communication with God.” Prayer involves those words or thoughts that are specifically directed towards our Creator. While some may regard the act of prayer as a last resort or something to try when all else fails, a person who relies upon God in prayer is someone who is best prepared to approach the challenges of everyday life.
We can find some identifying characteristics of a healthy prayer life in the passage quoted above. The first among those characteristics is persistence (AMP), devotion (HCSB), or continuance (KJV). In the original language of Colossians 4:2, this word expresses an attitude of commitment in prayer by way of the following definition: “to endure in, or persevere in, to be continually steadfast with a person or thing.” (1)
The next quality is vigilance or watchfulness (RSV). This attribute links our prayer requests with the need to be alert to God’s response, even if that response comes in the form of something other than the answer we desire. You see, a person who is watchful understands that purpose of prayer is not to get God to act upon our preferred outcome. Instead, he or she is diligent to look for God’s direction and respond accordingly.
Finally, our prayers should reflect an attitude of thankfulness. This reminds us that we should not fail to voice our appreciation to God for His answers to our prayers as well as the blessings and provisions He has provided.
When it comes to seeking God in prayer, it might be said that people often make their choices first and then ask God to bless the path they’ve chosen. Nevertheless, it is far more preferable to seek God first in the decision making process and then move forward accordingly. If we align our prayers with the good things that God desires to give us, we can enjoy the same kind of assurance expressed in the New Testament book of 1 John…
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14-15).
(1) G4342 proskartereo Vine’s Expository Dictionary Of Biblical Words Copyright © 1985 by Thomas Nelson Publishers