The Lodestar

The person who accepts Jesus’ free offer of salvation through faith becomes a new creation. In the previous chapters of this book, Paul elaborated that this new life in Christ ought to be radically different from the one we lived before coming to Christ.

It brings radical moral changes as the new creations in Christ mortify their sinful passions and transform their work, attitude, and relationships, godly (3:1—11). A total surrender in all aspects of their life is required of them: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (3:17). The change that Christ brings changes the relationship between spouses, children and even household servants (3:18—41).

Paul seems to have kept the most important thing that marks the new creation in Christ to the end: prayer. We cannot be what the Lord expects us to be without prayer, the most fundamental aspect of Christian life that controls all other things.

There are three important dimensions to prayer—being steadfast (devoted), watchful and thankful.

Being steadfast means doing the same thing over a long period of time until achieving the desired result. This is the most important aspect of praying. Keep praying like the widow who bothered the unjust judge (Luke 18:1—8). Jesus taught his disciples to keep on asking as she did. Giving up on the way never yields any results. We ought to pray always and not lose heart (Luke 18:1).

The disciples who went to the garden to pray with the Lord could not be watchful; they slept. “And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt 26:40—41). We should be on our guard and not allow physical weakness and spiritual dullness to dampen our fervour in prayer.

Praying with thankfulness is an act of faith that the Holy Spirit enables. Whether the prayers are answered, we must still thank the Lord. It is a product of trust in the Lord's sovereignty and love. This faith enables us to thank God for what we prayed for, even when the answer is unclear.

Prayer is the only way to connect with God and remain connected. It is the privilege that God has gifted his beloved children on earth.

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