Christ Preeminence is Detailed to the Colossians Volume 39

Paul Exhorts the Believers in Colosse to keep Praying

Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; KJV

Paul now having completed his exhortations to the parties within the Colossian Church, that is, husbands, wives, children, slaves, masters, now he declares to them all their most important responsibility to one another and to themselves individually by saying, "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;" (Colossians 4:2) (KJV). The English word 'continue' is translated by the Greek word proskartereo meaning to be earnest towards, that is, (to a thing) to persevere, be constantly diligent, or (in a place) to attend with care and persistence all the exercises, or (to a person) to adhere closely to (as a servitor): - give self continually (upon), continue steadfastly. The little English phrase 'in prayer' is translated by the one Greek word proseuche meaning to pray to God, that is, supplicate, worship: pray earnestly. In other words, Paul is declaring to them that if all of the former things are to take place or manifest and demonstrate or be clearly revealed and evidenced in the lives and relationships honoring to God the Father of husbands and wives, parents and children, masters/employers and slaves/employees, then it will only be possible with Divine power coming from the Throne of Grace where our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ sits right now dispensing said grace only to those who commune constantly, continually, and copiously (or in an abundant manner) with Him through prayer and supplication just as Paul instructed the Philippian Church to do with these words, "Do not fret {or} have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance {and} in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God." (Philippians 4:6) (Amplified Bible).

The English word 'watch' is translated by the Greek word gregoreuo meaning to keep awake, that is, watch (literally or figuratively): - be vigilant, be watchful to make prayers to God the Father. In other words, our Heavenly Father (although He is all-knowing and all-powerful) cannot help us if we do not petition Him with our personal specific request to Him individually, collectively as small groups or entire Church congregations, for He will not intervene on our behalf unless we are mindful and watchful in making our prayer request always known to Him as even our Lord Jesus Christ Himself warned the first disciples and us now with these words of great wisdom, "All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) {and} watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41) (Amplified Bible) and in like manner these words of great wisdom written by the Apostle Peter (one of those 1st disciples who acquired this wisdom from our Lord Jesus), "But the end {and} culmination of all things has now come near; keep sound minded {and} self-restrained and alert therefore for [the practice of] prayer." (1 Peter 4:7) (Amplified Bible).

The English word 'thanksgiving' is translated by the Greek word eucharistia meaning gratitude; actually grateful language (to God, as an act of worship): In other words, our Heavenly Father is the source of all our physical strength, emotional strength, and our spiritual strength, for we all are empty useless clay/dirt vessels without His Grace, therefore, in order for these relationships to thrive or flourish bringing joy and satisfaction to us, then His Grace must be the activating power supply and knowing this should bend us to our knees giving Him alone constant thanks for everything as the Apostle Paul directed the Thessalonian Church to do with these words written to them, "Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]." (1 Thessalonians 5:18) (Amplified Bible).

"And this is the duty of everyone - to continue in prayer. 'Keep up your constant times of prayer, without being diverted from it by other business; keep your hearts close to the duty, without wandering or deadness, and even to the end of it: Watching the same.' Christians should lay hold of all opportunities for prayer, and choose the fittest seasons, which are least liable to disturbance from other things, and keep their minds lively in the duty, and in suitable frames. - With thanksgiving, or solemn acknowledgment of the mercies received. Thanksgiving must have a part in every prayer." Matthew Henry

"This was the Apostle’s general advice to all; without this, neither wives, husbands, children, parents, servants, nor masters, could fulfill the duties which God, in their respective stations, required of them. All might, power, and life come from God; His creatures are continually dependent upon Him for all these: to earnest, persevering prayer, He has promised every supply; but He who prays not has no promise. How few wives feel it their duty to pray to God to give them grace to behave as wives! How few husbands pray for the grace suited to their situation, that they may be able to fulfill its duties! The like may be said of children, parents, servants, and masters. As every situation in life has its peculiar duties, trials, etc.; so to every situation there is peculiar grace appointed. No man can fulfill the duties of any station without the grace suited to that station. The grace suited to him, as a member of society in general, will not be sufficient for him as a husband, father, or master. Many proper marriages become unhappy in the end, because the parties have not earnestly besought God for the grace necessary for them as husbands and wives. This is the origin of family broils in general; and a proper attention to the Apostle’s advice would prevent them all." Adam Clarke

"To persevere in prayer is to 'continue in prayer', for just like an athlete must push himself or herself to train for their particular sport even on the days they don't really 'feel like' training because their 'feelings' will cause them to fall short of their goal of being the best they physically can at their respective sport, so must every one of us 'redeemed, reborn, and renewed' believers in Jesus Christ push ourselves spiritually (just like the athlete) in prayer and supplication to our Heavenly Father through Christ Jesus our Lord in order that we keep up continual communion with Him knowing that outside of His grace we will fall short of our spiritual goals of overcoming certain besetting or ensnaring sins that plague us and cause us not to run this marathon race of faith in victory just as Paul said to the Hebrews with these words, 'Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off {and} throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to {and} entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance {and} steady {and} active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader {and} the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the Cross, despising {and} ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.' (Hebrews 12:1-2) (Amplified Bible)." Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…