MORNING MANNA           7/14/20

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” – Col. 4:2

Here we see two commands, both of which are crucial. The first tells us to “continue in prayer“. We are to be devoted to that discipline. Every Christian has prayed but they don’t all continue in prayer. Some cease because they are overcome by the pleasures of the world, or overwhelmed by the problems of life, or occupied with the pursuit of possessions. Whatever the case might be, that’s a serious problem. In the first place it is disobedience to God. Secondly it deprives us what we need in life and blessings we could have had. There is never a moment when prayer isn’t needed. But there is more – another command.

The second command tells us to “watch in the same with thanksgiving“. The word “watch” means “be vigilant”, “alert”, “give strict attention”, “attentive”. As we pray we are to look for reasons or opportunities to give thanks . We are to express gratitude for God’s gifts. As Christians, even in the toughest of times we can find things to be thankful for and reasons to rejoice. And that helps us get from one day to another. It causes us to think of God’s grace which puts things in the proper perspective.