Life of Prayer

Colossians 4. Like the letter to the Philippians, Paul signs off to the Colossians with some instruction on prayer (4:2-4).

1. Pray Without Ceasing: "Continue earnestly in prayer..."
2. Pray Without Sleeping: "being vigilant in it..." (watch, be alert)
3. Pray With Thanksgiving: "...with thanksgiving..."
4. Pray For Ministers and Missionaries: v.3-4.

Praying without ceasing doesn't mean to lock up in your prayer closet and pray all day. No.To 'continue earnestly in prayer' means to devote yourself continually in prayer; to be in constant, unbroken prayer throughout the day; to walk in a spirit of prayer. Prayer is an ongoing conversation with your heavenly Father as you go about your daily life. And yes, there are times we get into our prayer closet and shut out the distractions of the world, but when we have to get up and go out into that world, we do so in a constant spirit of prayer. Never live a moment when you're not in a spirit of prayer. How is this possible?

1. Develop an attitude of prayer.
2. Walk daily in a spirit of prayer.
3. Take a mental break and pray.
4. Arise early and pray.
5. Pray before going to bed.

Parting Quote: "Until we see our need for God, we will never see our need to pray. Effective praying is always birthed out of a need for God. " [Mark Sterling]