It’s the knees

Continue earnestly in prayer. – Colossians 4:2

Both of my knees were hurting, and I could not figure out why. I hadn’t done anything to damage them or put undo pressure on them.

Or had I? I recalled that over the previous few days I had been working on the walls in our house, scrubbing them and getting them ready for painting. And then I had painted them. All the while, as I stood on the short ladder to reach the top, I had been pressing my knees against the ladder for balance. I was, in effect, being supported by my knees.

Then a new thought came to my mind: When was the last time my knees hurt because I was on them praying? It had been a while.

Although it’s true that people pray all the time without kneeling, the question I asked myself is a convincing one. Whether we are on our knees, standing up, or seated, how often do we use prayer to support ourselves? We can find help from many sources – friends, counselors, books – but there’s nothing better than the support and strength we get from God when we pray.

"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16). Prayer has power. We are to "continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant" (Colossians 4:2).

How are your knees? – Dave Branon

When I kneel before my Master,

I can feel His presence there,

And the load of care and sorrow

Seems much easier to bear. – Anon.

READ: James 5:13-18

Prayer does not require eloquence but earnestness.

The Bible in one year:

• Daniel 3-4

• 1 John 5