Verse of the Day 9/2

Verse of the Day 9/2

Colossians 4:2-3a

English Standard Version

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, 

For today's post we'll consider the topic of prayer and how important it is to be for us, not something we should take for granted or ignore.  Verse 2 begins with "continue steadfastly" and other translations say "devote yourself" to prayer.  They mean the same thing.  Continuing implies a past action that is to be repeated.  Steadfastly implies a continuing devotion and commitment.  To that Paul adds being watchful in it, look for how your prayers are being answered and for new things to pray about.  Then, be thankful for it.  Give God praise, appreciate the precious gift that it is.

Prayer is a key way in which we communicate with our heavenly Father.  It may not seem like it at first, but it is a two way street.  We offer prayers and He speaks to us through His Spirit, His Word; and His answers.

Those who pray, will, by deriving strength from Heaven, by drawing down wisdom from above, withstand every storm, and shout God's praises at last.

Tempted Christian--pray, and you will overcome every temptation.

Troubled Christian--pray, and God will deliver you out of every trouble.

Perplexed Christian--pray, and God will make your way plain before your face.

Doubting Christian--pray, and God will disperse your doubts, and chase your fears away.

Trembling Christian--pray, and God will strengthen you with strength in the soul.

Sick Christian--pray, and God will make all your bed in your affliction.

Dying Christian--pray, and death will lose all its terrors, and you will gently fall asleep in Jesus.

Lost sinner--pray, for God who heard the publican and justified him, will hear you and save you.

O for the grace of prayer, that we may in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present our requests to God. 

Those thoughts took some time to develop as does prayer itself.  It takes setting time apart to draw closer to God. In taking that time we'll be better fitted to serve Him.

1. Take time to be holy,
speak oft with thy Lord;
abide in him always,
and feed on his word.
Make friends of God's children,
help those who are weak,
forgetting in nothing
his blessing to seek.

2. Take time to be holy,
the world rushes on;
spend much time in secret
with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus,
like him thou shalt be;
thy friends in thy conduct
his likeness shall see.

3. Take time to be holy,
let him be thy guide,
and run not before him,
whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow,
still follow the Lord,
and, looking to Jesus,
still trust in his word.

4. Take time to be holy,
be calm in thy soul,
each thought and each motive
beneath his control.
Thus led by his spirit
to fountains of love,
thou soon shalt be fitted
for service above.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Colossians 4:2-6

English Standard Version

Further Instructions

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.

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Pastor James Smith expounds on the significance of prayer, he wrote the following back in 1858.