Continue in Prayer

Continue in Prayer
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving… —Colossians 4: 2
Because they were about to be judged for their sin, the Israelites said to Samuel, “Pray for us that we don’t die.” And Samuel said, “God forbid that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you.” He saw that not to pray would actually be a sin against the Lord. I wonder how many of us are guilty of the sin of prayerlessness, or how many give up prematurely because those prayers aren’t answered in our timing.
***We are not to give up.
But you might ask, “Why should I continue in prayer? If God plans to do it, isn’t He going to do it anyhow? Can’t I just pray once and then let it be?” First of all, prayer should never be thought of as changing the mind of God. That would put me in the driver’s seat. God is not a genie who answers my every wish, and we are not trying to change the mind of God through prayer.
Sometimes God delays the answers to our prayers in order that He might bring us into harmony with His purposes. Sometimes God delays in order that He might give us much more, that He might be glorified. But either way, we are to continue in prayer.
May we give ourselves to continual prayer, and may we be thankful. “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107: 8).
Father, we do give thanks to You today for life, for strength, and for all of Your provisions for us. Help us not to give up but to continue in prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.