Continue Earnestly in Prayer

Paul packs three things into one short command. First, continue, keep at it, persist, do not let prayer lapse. Prayer is not a sprint but a long obedience; the call is to continue earnestly, day after day, year after year. Second, be vigilant, literally, watchful, awake. We are to pray with alertness, not drifting through prayer half-asleep, but attentive to what we are saying and to whom. And third, do it with thanksgiving, laced through with gratitude, so that prayer never collapses into a mere list of demands but stays full of thanks for what God has already done.

These three guard the praying life from its common diseases. Continuing guards against the laziness that lets prayer fade. Vigilance guards against the dullness that lets prayer go through the motions. And thanksgiving guards against the grumbling, grasping spirit that only ever asks and never thanks. A prayer life that continues, stays awake, and brims with gratitude is a healthy one.

Examine your own praying against these three today, and let thanksgiving in particular sweeten your asking.