Panic floods my soul. Worry runs in my mind. Anxiety is a constant companion. So what do I do? I can’t go on, can I? If my life continues this way, I’m not sure I want to go on. Miserable would be the best definition of me. 

Is there a solution for Christians surrounded in the experience of misery? Yes. Is it easy? No. But is the misery we suffer easy? No. So what would be better, to continue in misery, which is wretched, or walk obediently to Gods faithful promises, which is blessed? 

If your choice is the blessed way of walking obediently, there is a solution!  

In Colossians 4:2 Paul writes “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” In this short verse there lies a wealth of promise. First look at the word “in”. In the original Greek the word “prayer” is in the dative, which could carry the sense of, “in prayer, by prayer, with prayer, for prayer”. So the point we need to see is that not only is prayer a conversation we need to be having continually, but there is no other way to continue but by prayer. I know you’ve heard I before, but it’s worth mentioning again. No prayer, no power. 

Second, Paul uses the word “steadfastly”. At the root of this word is the idea of being obstinate and stubborn. Which means refusing to change one’s opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so. How many times a day does misery try to push you from prayer? Now I want you to think of that one thing that you just can’t quit. Are you more stubborn in the thing you can’t quit than prayer? And what you really need is to be more stubborn in prayer than anything else. 

Third, we are called to be watchful. Have you ever noticed how awake you feel when you are looking for someone or something to arrive? How awake you are when you think something is wrong? In fact, many times the very misery we are in causes us to be restless. But what you need to see is that what this word is asking us is to remain fully alive. That when prayer is our power, life is fully experienced. The book of Colossians is about the greatness of Christ and how we can experience His greatness. Christ is life. Prayer connects to Christ. Prayer is life. Be alive in prayer to God by Christ through the Holy Spirit. 

Lastly, prayer is how we can overcome misery and failure. Prayer is how the believers in Christ are to live. But it’s not just any prayer. It’s prayer seasoned with thanks. When a life of misery is what you’re tasting, and prayer has been on your lips, but misery prevails. Has your prayer been missing the seasoning of thanks? “Thanksgiving you say?! But I have nothing to be thankful for.” This is what the enemy wants you think. But it’s a lie. You have Christ and He has you. You have the peace of Christ to rule in your heart. You have the promise of grace and forgiveness. You have the promise of true life, eternal life. 

So walk by prayer not by sight. Be so persistent and stubborn that nothing can break your aliveness in prayer. Open your eyes and see you need to talk to the loving God who has given us power through prayer and His presence. You’ve got to pray just to make it today!🎶