Colossians 4:2 ¶ Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
We must be ever cautious that our prayers and petitions are brought to God without demand concerning time, means or method. Continuing in prayer develops my confidence and declares my faith. God desires our faith to develop in unwavering trust rather than expectations of immediate answers. God is more concerned with what He is doing in me than what is accomplished by me. Intercession is a higher level of prayer and moves us away from personal desire and directs us toward the perfect will of God – to intercede is to abandon personal rights for the need of others and the will of God. God will test our motive and dependence through our faith and devotion – my commitment to God must not be regulated by His response to me. My entire life must reflect what He has already done for me. The effectiveness or our prayer comes through our devotion to the ways of God – it is the foundation of spiritual understanding to seek God’s perfect will and understanding His ways. There is far more intimacy developed with God through fervent devotion and faith in what He has already promised than His prompt answer to our petitions. Our human nature is to assume we know the mind of God when we bring our need – but we must ever be open to accept that His answer may not be subject to our expectations. God is moving us beyond personal understanding to grasp the eternal perspective concerning His sovereign control of all creation. Certainly, we must pray for the welfare of others; but we must ever be open to what the Holy Spirit is doing in the heart and mind. God is far more concerned with our tenacity to remain faithful and obedient with a humble spirit motivated by a sincere desire to glorify and honor Jesus Christ.
Read through the Bible in one year – Feb. 24 – Mk. 4:21-41; Num. 7-8
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