Don't Stop Praying!

Colossians 1:9-10

Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.[1]

As long as Moses lifted his hands (in prayer) the Israelites were winning but, when he let his hands down (stopped praying) they lost. Prayer is our direct link with God. It is the channel in which we connect with the power we need to win at life. Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray after he had performed great miracles. We are the exact opposite. We experience great miracles then we stop praying.

When we stop praying it’s like constructing a building but never completing it because the resources stopped coming in. We cut off our Spiritual resources when we stop praying. The Apostle Paul encouraged the church in Colossae that they would continue to be built up because:

1. From the time they heard about them they didn’t stop praying. What devastating news have you heard about that still needs prayer? Haiti, Tuscaloosa, Japan, the American economy; you ought to keep praying until it’s fixed and ask God how you can assist in fixing it.

2. Ask God to fill the people you are praying for with spiritual wisdom and the knowledge of his will. So many new Christians stop short of being filled because we stop praying for them. New believers need constant prayer so that they can be completely regenerated. Ask God to show you an individual in your church that you can partner with to pray for continually.

3. Pray so that they may live a life worthy of the Lord and bear fruit in every good work. It encourages my heart when I meet people that tell me that they are praying for me and my ministry because without it I can’t produce anything. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.

Dear God,

We have a lot to pray for. We are confident that the work you began in us you will be faithful to complete it, we just have to keep the channel of communication open between you and us. Teach us how to pray without ceasing so we can keep on growing.

In Jesus Name,
Amen



[1]Peterson, Eugene H.: The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, Colo. : NavPress, 2002, S. Col 1:9-12