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Colossians 4: 2-3 declares "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving, meanwhile praying also for us that God would open to us a door for The Word to speak the mystery of Christ for which I am also in chains." Here the Apostle Paul lays down for us some characteristics of a satisfying prayer life.

Satisfying prayer is prayer that is faithful prayer. Acts 1:14 declares "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with His brothers. Acts 2: 46 says "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart." These early Christ followers found it absolutely necessary to be faithful in prayer. When they were faithful God was present with them and was richly blessing them.

Satisfying prayer is watchful prayer. When we pray we are like sentries on the battlements watching for the unannounced attack of the enemy. Scripture calls us to be a watchful people:
Nehemiah 4:9 says "Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God and because of them we set a watch against them day and night."

Jesus warns in mark 13:33 "Take heed, watch and pray for you do not know when the time is."

In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus said to Peter, James and John "Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak."(Mark 14: 38).

Paul admonishes in Ephesians 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."

Satisfying prayers are prayers that are filled with thanksgiving and an attitude of gratitude. Philippians 4: 6 says "Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Psalm 95:1-2 declares "O come let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms for The Lord is a great God." Psalm 100:4 says "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise, Be thankful to Him and bless His name."

Satisfying prayers are purposeful prayers... James 5:16 (b) says "The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." Satisfying prayer is prayer that has purpose behind it and expects to be answered. Bishop Richard Trench said "Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance it is laying hold of His willingness." God wants to hear our prayers and He wants to answer them. John says s in 1 John 5: 14-15 "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."

May we know the joy of a satisfying prayer life by being faithful, watchful, thankful and purposeful. Then we will know the satisfying blessing of effective prayer day by day.

Learn more about this author, Ed Ostrom.
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