Last week we kicked off this series by looking at Colossians 4:2, where Paul says, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." We talked about being spiritual sentries—staying "watchful" and awake on the job. Today, we’re looking at that second word Paul uses: "thankful."
If you're like me, you’ve lived in those seasons where you’re constantly waiting for something "around the corner." You feel like there’s something “out there” coming that is better than what you have today—something big and impactful that will finally make the difference. We find ourselves living in the now, but waiting for a change to bring the meaning and fulfillment we feel we’re missing.
The problem is, once you get around that corner, there’s usually just another corner! Another challenge, another goal, another "new thing" that culture tells us we need to be happy.
But Paul shows us a better way. He tells us that the secret to a powerful prayer life is being "watchful and thankful." Think about that. Without thankfulness, your "watchfulness" actually becomes a liability. You’ll start to see only the problems in your current situation. You’ll become a watchman who only sees the enemy, the needs, and the gaps. If you aren't careful, you’ll end up cynical and exhausted. Gratitude is the lens that keeps your perspective clear so you can see God’s provision right alongside the problems.
We see this modeled perfectly by Jesus in John 11. He’s standing before the tomb of His friend Lazarus. The situation was messy, it was heartbreaking, and Lazarus had been dead for four days. The "problems" were everywhere! Jesus tells them to move the stone, but before He calls Lazarus out, He does something world-changing.
He prays. John 11:41 says, "Then Jesus looked up and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me.’"
Did you catch that? Before Jesus asked for what He wanted—before the miracle even happened—He was thankful. He didn't wait for the breakthrough to be grateful; He was grateful because He knew the Character of the One who holds the breakthrough.
Because of Jesus, we don’t have to pray "begging" prayers. We can pray from a place of knowing God has already heard us. We can be thankful for the answer while we are still standing in front of the closed tomb.
So, prayer warriors, let’s be watchful and thankful today. Let’s make sure our vigilance is paired with a heart that remembers God’s track record. We don’t just pray to a distant God; we pray to a Good Father who has never failed us yet.
Self-Reflection: Look back at your "answered prayer" list from the last week. What is one thing God did—maybe a small "win" or a moment of peace—that you haven't stopped to properly thank Him for yet? Take a moment to give Him heartfelt thanks right now.
Praying for Others: Let’s pray that the people in our lives—our kids, our co-workers, our friends—would have their "spiritual eyes" opened to see God’s goodness. Let’s pray specifically for those walking through a "heavy" season, that a spirit of praise would break the spirit of heaviness over them. Let's pray that our church would be a place where the sound of thanksgiving is always louder than the sound of grumbling.
Let’s go to God today not just with our lists, but with our "Thank You" ready! Amen!