Col 4:2 “Be devoted~~to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.”
We have a choice in life: we can attempt to do things on our own or we can join in partnership with God, petitioning His involvement in all that is done for His honor and glory.
After all, one of Jesus’s last declarations was, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matt 28:18). If anyone is worth being close to, it is the One who has the authority to do anything He wishes.
Paul began this Letter to the Colossians with prayer, and in Colossians 4:2 he concludes with a command for believers to pray for others. Prayer is the core of the believer’s communion with Christ and the source of his power against Satan’s demonic forces (Eph 6:18). The command is to “be continually and habitually devoted to prayer,” meaning “to endure, cleave faithfully to, or stay close to” the action of prayer.
“Pray at all times” (Eph 6:18) “without ceasing” (1 Thes 5:17); “contin[ue] steadfast in prayer” (Rom 12:12). The foundation of a balanced ministry is being “devoted to prayer and the ministry of the Word” (Acts 6:4), the believer’s lifeline to God.
To pray ceaselessly does not necessarily mean we should continually vocalize our prayers to God. Instead, we should share everything with our caring Savior, who “lives forever to intercede with God on [our] behalf” (Heb 7:25NLT). Jesus taught, “At all times they ought to pray and not to give up” (Luke 18:1–-8). This attitude is founded on dependence on God and a determination to obey Him fully.
Paul said we should “be continually keeping alert” or “vigilant.” Prayer should saturate every activity for God. Paul requested prayer because “a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Cor 16:9). We are to be conscious of the needs around us and bring them before the throne, always with “thanksgiving” for His powerful presence and willingness to answer prayers and accomplish His will on earth. Stay alert and pray!
“My Father, I confess that my prayers are more selfish than beneficial to anyone else. Teach me to believe that prayer is effective and You hear every thought or request directed to You, especially when praying for others.”