“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.”   
Colossians 4:2 

Last week we looked into this verse and found that there is a universal need for prayer and how great the need is at this time in history.  We also saw that it is a ministry that all can participate in and embrace, but Scripture tells us we are to come in an attitude of thanksgiving; with a contrite and humble heart devoted to and acceptable to God.  There must be a whole heartedness, it must be in faith, righteousness and obedience.  A prayer warrior is one who seeks and prays according to God’s will.

We have in the Revelation two verses that speak of the prayers of the saints (the holy ones; the set apart ones):
The prayers of the saints are precious,
“And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having each a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”  Revelation 5:8
And,
They ascend as incense before God:
“And another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given him, that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.  And the smoke of the incense, which are the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.”  Revelation 8:3-4 

This gives us some idea of how important prayer is to God.  We can see why the Apostle Paul gives the warning to be alert.

Our opening verse speaks of ‘keeping alert’; the King James Version uses the word ‘watch’.  Vines Expository Dictionary tells us that the Greek word 
GREGORER: to watch, is used of spiritual alertness.  It is the same word used in the following admonition to be watchful:
“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” 
1 Corinthians 16:13

“For you are all sons of light and sons of day.  We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.”
1 Thessalonians 5:5-6

1 Peter 5:8 says,
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Being a prayer warrior is a high calling for it deals with great needs, hard trials, at times impossible situations, circumstances that are beyond man’s ability and wisdom to handle.  It takes faith in, trust in, reliance on Christ, steadfastness, love, patience and confidentiality.  

Our most holy and gracious God knows these weak vessels and it is in Him alone do we come to Him in prayer. Again I say, it is by God’s grace alone!  
And all ‘with an attitude of thanksgiving’!
 
With hearts filled with thanksgiving and gratitude give God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit all praise and honor for it is right that all creation give Him the glory now and forevermore!  Amen