November 7:
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with
thanksgiving; – Colossians 4:2
Earnestly – done with deep sincerity or with deep
conviction.
Vigilant – watchful and alert, with expectation.
This prayer trio of being earnest, vigilant and thankful is a
common theme of the Bible when instruction on prayer is
given. Let’s think about them individually, then how they
depend on one another.
People of prayer, who treat prayer as more than something
we are obliged to repeat before a meal or before bedtime,
understand what it is to “continue,” or persist in prayer with
sincerity and conviction. They also understand the prayer
of genuine faith is lifted to God with the assurance and
expectation that an answer will come. Prayer without
expectation is no prayer at all.
However, all the conviction and vigilance in the world is
nothing in prayer without thanksgiving. You don’t have to
search the scriptures long to realize that thanksgiving is a
key ingredient in everything that characterizes what it
means to live with faith in God.
So, how’s your prayer life? Is it a constant feature of your
daily walk, or just hit and miss? Is it characterized by
conviction and expectation or weakened by your
circumstances? Most importantly, is it defined by your
thankfulness? It is like a three-legged stool, you know?
Give Thanks!