William Burkitt Notes and Observations - Colossians 4:2 - 4:2

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William Burkitt Notes and Observations - Colossians 4:2 - 4:2


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Observe here, 1. The duty exhorted to, and that is prayer; a transcendent privilege, as well as an important duty.

Observe, 2. The manner of the duty, and how it must be performed, with constancy and perseverance.

1. Continue in prayer, that is, continue instant in prayer; not that every other duty is to be neglected, that we may always perform this, but we are always to keep our heart in a praying frame, and be found in the practice of the duty at all fitting seasons; we are then said to do a thing continually, when we do it seasonably: what a man does out of conscience, he will do with perseverance. Nature will have her good moods, but grace is steady.

2. Watchfulness in prayer is here directed to, Watch in the same; particularly, we ought to watch for the duty, in the duty, and after the duty: to watch for the fittest praying season, to watch our hearts in our affections flag; to watch after the duty, that our hearts be not lifted up by any assistances received in the duty; nor be too much dejected, upon the score of those infirmities that mingle themselves with our prayers; but direct the eye of our faith to Christ as our intercessor, who pleads for the gracious acceptance both of our persons and services, notwithstanding the imperfections of them both.

Observe, lastly, What must always accompany prayer for mercies we want, namely, thanksgiving for mercies received: Watch in the same with thanksgiving. There is no such effectual way of begging, as thanksgiving; God is offended, when we are loud and clamorous in asking favours, but dumb and tongue-tied in returning thanks: Need will make us beggars, but grace only thanksgivers.