Keep at It...

During a time recently when the enemy was attempting 

to drag me into discouragement, 

I read Col. 4:2 (Living):

"Don't be weary in prayer;

keep at it;

watch for God's answers

and remember to be

thankful

when they come."

I just sat there, upon reading those words,

a bit stunned and newly amazed...

I love how God does that...

taking His ancient words,

preserved through dangers, toils and snares,

thro generations of time,

and makes it fresh and new to me,

filling the exact need of the hour!

I was so excited about those simple words

that I decided to delve further into the

subject of prayer in the New Testament.

Here is what I came up with, 

in the short time I studied that morning:

~Prayer must be valuable. Jesus encouraged it

on more than one occasion. He told His disciples

to fast and pray to remove mountains

and to cast out demons. I think He was always

ready for whatever the day held

because He regularly fasted and prayed.

Could this be the secret to acting on

 Paul's admonition to be instant

in season and out of season?

~Prayer was a daily part of the early church.

I think that their praying in one accord was

a secret weapon they had to being of the

same mind and of one Way.

~The apostles gave themselves continually

to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word.

Not much room for heading the wrong way

if we are that committed, aye?!

~Paul admonishes us to continue

instant in prayer. This means

devoted to prayer; not to faint in prayer;

to persevere and to be in constant readiness

to pray.

SO...this means I need to be on my toes

and not let my old flesh rise up and live,

crowding out my ability to be ready to pray 

always.

~We are told to pray ALWAYS,

with supplication

(bringing needs to God; specific requests)

for all saints.

This doesn't leave much room for me

to let petty annoyances stand between me

and my care of my fellow believers.

We are repeatedly told to 

let our requests be given

with thanksgiving.

Thanks to God shows

our trust in Him to work

things out as He will.

~Prayer and careful living

go together.

I cannot expect to be

all comfortable in selfish living

while expecting to have long

heart-to-heart conversations

with God and have them

be effective. 

I was really blessed to do this little study

on prayer.

Prayer is truly an important part of

walking with Jesus.