“Continue in prayer.”

TEXT: Colossians 4:2
It is interesting to remark how large a portion of Sacred Writ is occupied with the subject of
prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely
open the Bible before we read, “Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord;” and just as
we are about to close the volume, the “Amen” of an earnest supplication meets our ear. Instances
are plentiful. Here we find a wrestling Jacob—there a Daniel who prayed three times a day—and
a David who with all his heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elias; in the dungeon
Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises. What does this teach
us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer? We may be certain that whatever God has
made prominent in his Word, he intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If he has said much about prayer, it is because he knows we have much need of it. So deep are our necessities, that until we
are in heaven we must not cease to pray. Dost thou want nothing? Then, I fear thou dost not know
thy poverty. Hast thou no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord’s mercy show thee thy misery!
A prayerless soul is a Christless soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the
fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the
watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honour of a Christian. If thou be a child of God, thou wilt
seek thy Father’s face, and live in thy Father’s love. Pray that this year thou mayst be holy, humble,
zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter oftener into the banqueting-house
of his love. Pray that thou mayst be an example and a blessing unto others, and that thou mayst live
more to the glory of thy Master. The motto for this year must be, “Continue in prayer.”