Praying! (part 1 of 7)

It has been said that "Seven days without prayer makes one weak." I pray such is not a mark of your life. As Paul was bringing his letter to the church at Colossae to a close -- a letter that included some of his own prayers on their behalf -- he urged them with regard to some specifics in prayer. I have broken them down into seven parts, the first of which we will consider today.

Paul wrote. . .
"(2) CONTINUE STEADFASTLY IN PRAYER, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (3) At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison -- (4) that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak." ( Colossians 4:2-4 ESV)

Prayer is to be something in which we CONTINUE STEADFASTLY. It is to be a part of our EVERYDAY life. Just as Paul urged those at Thessalonica, we also ought to have an UNCEASING spirit of prayer. ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17) In fact, one of the blessings of prayer is that it can be offered ANYTIME and ANYWHERE whether it be done verbally or merely inwardly.

This past week my wife and I went out to dinner with her sister. As is our practice, we prayed before enjoying our meal. When the waitress approached our table again, she commented it was nice to see that, because she did not see it much anymore. Though our prayers are not to be approached for the purpose of being seen by others (i.e. Matthew 6:5), it is not wrong for people to come to realize we are praying people. Even as we go about our EVERDAY activities we can do so while praying to the God Who is fully aware of everything going on in our life.

May we NEVER CEASE to take advantage of the gift prayer truly is. Though there may be lapses in cell phone coverage, we have universal coverage for CONSTANT COMMUNICATION with our God and with all the minutes we could ever need!

Have a great day KNOWING GOD CAN HEAR US NOW!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Prayer