CONTINUE IN PRAYER, AND WATCH . . . WITH THANKSGIVING

Exhortations to be diligent and to continue in prayer are timely reminders for every Christian in every age.

We should be earnest, vigilant and regular in prayer. The disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane were neither watchful nor prayerful. We need to make time for this essential activity, otherwise we might not find time in an increasingly busy world.

Paul never tires of emphasizing that thanksgiving should accompany every prayer. The Apostle asks the Colossians to pray for him, and for those who were with him in Rome. It is notable that Paul does not desire that they should pray that God would open the door of the prison for him, but rather that a door of opportunity might be opened for the preaching of the gospel.

He desires to speak the mystery of Christ; this is the truth concerning Christ and the church. This mystery which in other ages was not made known has now been revealed, Eph. 3. 5. The fact that Paul taught that Jew and Gentile had been brought together in one body, and that the Gentiles had been made fellow-heirs, was the reason that the Apostle was imprisoned.

His thoughts turn now from what he ought to speak, v. 4, to how they ought to live, v. 5. Our talk should correspond with our walk; we are being watched by unbelievers in every aspect of our lives.

In Acts chapter 1 verse 1 we are asked to consider ‘all that Jesus began both to do and teach’. Beautifully we see in Him the perfect correlation of life and lip. We need to pray constantly that all we say and do will be supported in personal testimony of life. We are reminded that the time is short and that we should buy up every opportunity.

False teachers came to Colosse just as they present themselves at our doors today. Pray that we may be able to answer in a gracious manner and in words of wisdom and truth.