"Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving."
Colossians 4:2
Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, wrote four statements about prayer. The first two are found in chapter 1, where Paul reminds the Colossians that he is praying for them (vv. 3 and 9). His fourth statement rehearses for them how that the faithful servant Epaphras is always laboring fervently in prayer for them (4:12). He is concerned that the Colossians stand “perfect and complete” in God’s will. In his second statement, he challenged the Colossians to be praying continually (4:2). And he asked the church to be praying for him and his ministry of presenting Christ (4:3-4). Today we will think about just verse 2, where his challenge has great merit for all believers.
“Continue in prayer.”
Don’t stop praying! “Continue steadfastly in prayer.” This Greek word for “continue” means,
“…to be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing…” [1] (Thayer).
The Colossians were to be giving their steadfast attention to prayer. This same Greek word is used in Mark 3:9 when Jesus told the disciples to have a boat ready for Him if the crowd got too crushing, and He needed to move on.
“And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him” (Mark 3:9).
“The boat was to keep close…to the shore in constant readiness and move as Jesus did. Whether he needed it or not is not told, but it was there at hand” (Robertson).
The disciples gave their constant attention to Jesus, this is how we are to give our attention to prayer.
“And watch in the same.”
Pray, being alert to what’s going on. Or “watch and pray” as Jesus told His disciples. We, believers, need to be spiritually vigilant, especially in these last days.
“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (1 Peter 4:7).
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:18).
Jesus’ words to His disciples,
“Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is…. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping” (Mark 13:33; 35-36).
“With thanksgiving.”
“With thanksgiving — for everything, whether joyful, or sorrowful, mercies temporal and spiritual, national, family, and individual” [2] (JFB).
“Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).
Believers, we are thankful!
[1] J.H. Thayer, Thayer’s Greek Definitions, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Jamison, Fausset, and Brown. Jamison-Fausset-Brown’s Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.