Colossians 4:2

Modern

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,

Traditional

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Literal

Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it in thanksgiving,

Latin

Orationi instate, vigilantes in ea in gratiarum actione:

Greek

English

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,

being watchful: The Greek verb for this phrase in the New Testament emphasizes the need for Christians to stay watchful because Christ will return (Matthew 24:42; 25:13; Mark 13:35, 37; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; Revelation 3:3; 16:15).

New Testament letters often end by encouraging readers to pray and requests for their prayers.

Theme notes and profiles

1 Thessalonians 5:17–18
Pray without ceasing.
Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Ephesians 6:18
Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.
Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:
Luke 21:36
So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”
1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray.
Psalm 109:4
In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.
Psalm 55:16–17
But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.
Colossians 1:9
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
Colossians 2:7
…rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.