Prayer with Thanksgiving - Colossians 3-4

 Colossians 4:2 (ESV)

(Further Instructions)

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Those who put the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible together entitled this section of the letter that Paul wrote to the church at Colossi, “Further Instructions).   The reason is probably that the last chapter of the book has no collective theme.  But, it might do some harm in our mind as we read the section by making it sound less powerful, and/or disconnected to what Paul wrote previously in the letter.  They material in this section is very powerful, particularly the above verse.   

Remember, the original letter had no chapters and verses.  The collective church inserted the chapters and verses in the Bible text in the 1500s.   It does mislead us at times as we read a letter like Colossians in bits and pieces.  Remember, the first time the readers heard this text it would have been in its entire length.   So, the above verse would have been in context with the preceding.   This is significant because Paul has been telling them what a new life in Christ looks like. He has told them what they were and moved to what the are and further to what they are becoming (in Christ).   He has addressed their most personal and transparent relationships (the family and work) and has instructed them to not be men-pleasers but to be of those who honor and work for Christ. 

This is the background for the above verse about prayer.  Our tool to accomplish our new life in Christ is prayer. Our tool to put off the old life is prayer.  Our tool to put on the new way to walk and talk is prayer.   And that prayer is to be done in thankfulness.  We are to come to Christ in prayer and praise Him with a thankful spirit.  It is not based on our circumstances, it is based upon obedience to Him.   Prayer is one of the most powerful tools God has given the believer.  We are not to pray in regard to results, however.  He does not say, “continue steadfast in prayer as long as you see results.”  He tells us to pray in steadfastness with a thankful spirit toward God.   That is how to pray. Nothing short of that qualifies.   Steadfast prayer is authentic when it is offered in way that thanks God and praises God.  Will God give results?  Yes!! Do other passages speak toward results?  Yes!!  However, the above Paul is tell them that if they want to experience a new life in Christ (read chapter 3), than prayer with thanksgiving is the tool.