ter, activity manifesting itself in passivity, and
might in meekness.

Notice, too, the suggestive addition, "_with joyfulness_." Patience and
longsuffering without joy are apt to be cold, chilly, unattractive. There
is a stern, stoical endurance of suffering which, while it may be admired
sometimes, tends to repel. But when patience and longsuffering are
permeated and suffused with joyfulness, the very life of Christ is lived
over again in His followers. Resignation to the will of God is only very
partially a Christian virtue; but when we take joyfully the things that
come upon us we are indeed manifesting the very life of God Himself.

"_Giving thanks unto the Father._" This is the crowning grace for which
the Apostle prays--thankfulness. How much it means. The heart full of
gratitude and gladness, the life full of brightness and buoyancy, the
character full of vitality and vigour. The joy of the Lord is, indeed,
the strength of His people, and when this element of thanksgiving
characterises our life, it gives tone to everything else, and crowns all
other graces.

4. THE CHARACTER OF THE PRAYER.

We have seen what the Apostle desired for the Christians of Colosse, and
in so doing we have learnt some of the deepest secrets of Christian
living. It remains to notice the characteristics of this prayer, in order
that our prayers may be taught and guided and inspired with power.

His prayer was _urgent_--"_Since the day we heard_." From the moment the
tidings came by Epaphras of the Christian life in Colosse the Apostle's
heart went up to God in prayer.

His prayer was _incessant_--"_Do not cease to pray_." Again and again he
asked, and kept on asking, so fully was his heart drawn out in prayer for
these Christians whom he had never seen.

His prayer was _intense_--"_And to desire_." This was no mere lip service.
His heart had evidently been stirred to its core by the tidings of the
Christian life at Colosse, and as he heard of their faith, their love,
their hope, their holiness, their service, a deep, intense, longing desire
came into his soul to seek for still fuller and deeper blessing on their
behalf. What a man he was, and what prayers his were!

His prayer was _offered in fellowship with others_--"_Since the day we
heard_." Timothy was associated with the Apostle in these petitions.
United prayer is one of the greatest powers in the Christian Church. "If
two of you shall agree as touching anything that they