Colossians 4:2 — Watching With Thanksgiving

2 In prayer be persevering, watching in it with thanksgiving,

The Greek word for praying begins with the preposition pros: “toward” or “directed toward.” Prayer here is much more than regularly speaking words. It is also noteworthy that Paul does not speak of “prayers,” but of “prayer”: an abiding orientation toward God. That is why he immediately connects this orientation with perseverance. The point is to maintain this orientation and not allow it to be governed by changing circumstances. God, after all, does not change. As a compass always points north, so in prayer we are directed toward Him again and again.

Paul adds that we should also be watchful in prayer, and he immediately explains how that watchfulness is expressed: in thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the atmosphere in which Paul places prayer. It is true that we may make all our requests known to God, but we do so in thanksgiving, as the apostle also emphasizes in Philippians 4:6.

Those who live with their attention directed toward God learn to make their desires known to Him with a thankful heart. Not because He always gives what we ask for, but because He gives so much more than that. For we often ask for silver while God wants to give us gold! His way is best… always. To remain continually aware of this is to watch with thanksgiving!

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