Read Colossians 1:28–29
We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. Colossians 1:28

A more literal translation of the first part of Colossians 1:29 is “For this I labor to the point of exhaustion, agonizing.” What a picture of prayer! So much of our praying is calm and comfortable, yet Paul exerted his spiritual muscles the way a Greek runner would exert himself in the Olympic Games.

This does not mean that our prayers are more effective if we exert all kinds of energy. Nor does it mean that we must “wrestle with God” before He will meet our needs. Paul described a spiritual striving: It was God’s power at work in his life. Prayer is not trying to change God’s mind. It is learning the mind of God and asking accordingly (1 John 5:14–15).

The Holy Spirit constantly intercedes for us even though we do not hear His voice (Rom. 8:26–27). He knows the Father’s will, and He helps us pray in that will. There are times when we simply do not feel like praying—and that is when we must pray the most! The Spirit gives us divine energy for prayer, in spite of the way we feel.

Something to Ponder
In your prayer life, are you are more like an Olympic marathoner, a long-distance runner, an occasional sprinter, or a couch potato?