Continue in Prayer. Colossians 4:2. The Lord Jesus Christ often prayed and highlighted the importance of prayer for those who followed Him. He prayed with earnestness and fervor before important events. Early believers in Jerusalem dedicated themselves to the apostles’ teachings, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Persevering in prayer reflects faith in God and trust that He will act in the best way and at the right time according to His sovereign plans.
We must be vigilant, sincere, and grateful when we pray. To closely and consistently connect with the Lord through prayer is the meaning behind the word “continue.” Prayer should become a habit that we firmly maintain. That was one of the traits of the early believers in the church. They did not waver in their commitment to living for Christ and following His steps. The steadfast face of our Lord Jesus Christ was not one of compromise.
Steadfastness should be a characteristic of those who live for Christ today. We are to be steadfast in prayer, in faith when resisting the devil, and in hope—each implying a unique firmness of commitment and thankfulness with confidence in God. Seven times in the Book of Colossians, Paul adds thanksgiving in his words of doctrine, counsel, and practical instruction. A thankful spirit is a fundamental trait of effective Christian living, alongside faith, hope, love, peace, and joy in the Lord.
When we pray according to God's will and promises, faith will lead to answers. His answers may not always be what we asked for or expected. God knows what is best for us, so when we pray, we align ourselves with His will. We also trust God, believing He will do what is best and provide us with many reasons to be thankful when He answers our prayers.
Persevering in prayer is a fundamental act that makes prayer effective. Hit-and-miss praying is often used to soothe a bad conscience, and consequently, when one is done, one hardly remembers a sentence, let alone the reason one prayed in the first place. Real praying involves the earnest desire to seek God's face and speak to Him from one's heart. It involves faith that He will give attention to what is important to you and that you will be in fellowship with Him before one is through praying.
The first step in prayer is genuine thanksgiving for all the blessings God constantly provides. When we start communicating with God this way, we speak to Him as friends with whom we share a close relationship. Prayer also involves being alert because dangers are present everywhere, and we can't always tell where they are or what form they take. Therefore, when we ask God for help in Jesus' name, we fix our eyes above to the source of all our blessings.
To “continue” truly means dedicating myself to the practice of communion and maintaining a state where my mind is constantly united with God's will. When I mention an event to Him, I realize that God is involved even before I kneel in prayer. I strive to be in a heart condition where, even if I mention someone's name, God understands what I mean and how we can share concern for their eternal welfare or daily challenges. Through intercessory prayer, we can help lighten their burdens.
By "watching" in prayer, we avoid rushing to hear strange teachings like the Colossians did. Watching in prayer keeps our mind focused on God, and that clarity helps us stay calm when others' opinions try to sway us. When we watch in faith, it acts as a strong shield against satanic attacks, doubts, and deceptions the devil stirs up—watching with hope roots our souls in God's promises, which we know will never fail. We can remain firm in faith by consistently watching and praying.