Colossians 4:2

Prayer: Intercourse with non-Christians

2. Continue in prayer Persevere at prayer. Cp. Ephesians 6:18, where the like precept is prefaced by the elaborated thought of the spiritual combat and armour. Cp. for the phrase Romans 12:12. Here as there he returns from the details of life to the great spiritual requisites to any true life for God.

" Continue" :it is implied that prayer is no mere spiritual luxury or interlude; it is sacred business, with its difficulties and its labour. Cp. Luke 21:36; Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

" Prayer" :"the Christian's vital breath." The word includes all the elements of adoring converse with God confession, petition, thanksgiving, ascription.

watch Cp. the Lord's own "watch and pray"; Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38. And on spiritual watchfulness generally, as against the comaof the world, cp. Matthew 24:42-43; Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:37; Act 20:31; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 3:2-3; Revelation 16:15.

in the same The watching was to be conditioned and maintained in the exercise of prayer. The believer was to be ready both for the tempter and for the Judge in the strength of spiritual contact with God.

with thanksgiving which, though a normal element in true prayer, tends to be forgotten, especially under trial, and so needs special mention. Cp. ch. Colossians 1:12; Colossians 2:7; Colossians 3:15; Colossians 3:17.