question

To b concentrated and sensitive to the Holy Spirit. my take on it

Col 4:2
Be giving constant attention to prayer, constantly vigilant in it with thanksgiving,
(from The New Testament: An Expanded Translation by Kenneth S. Wuest Copyright © 1961 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. All rights reserved.)

NT:1127
en tini, to be watchful in, employ the most punctilious care in a thing: Col 4:2.
(from Thayer's Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

NT:1127

27.56 NT:1127
: (a figurative extension of meaning ofa 'to stay awake,' 23.72) to be in continuous readiness and alertness to learn - 'to be alert, to be watchful, to be vigilant.'
(from Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domain. Copyright © 1988 United Bible Societies, New York. Used by permission.)

NT:1127
1. gregoreo NT:1127, "to watch," is used (a) of "keeping awake," e. g., Matt 24:43; 26:38,40,41; (b) of "spiritual alertness," e. g., Acts 20:31; 1 Cor 16:13; Col 4:2; 1 Thess 5:6,10
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

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FoundInGrace said:

What do you think "keeping alert" in prayer means in this verse?

Col 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

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possibly contrasting it with a trance like state and explaining what state of mind to adopt.

I think the 'be alert in it' has more to do with the phrase about Thanksgiving. Like give thanks for what you have in prayer as much as when you pray (or more) for yourself or those who need something. God knows that satan is out to mame, kill and destroy and one of the best and easiest ways to get to us is through our mind combined with our sin nature.

FoundInGrace said:

What do you think "keeping alert" in prayer means in this verse?

Col 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

Click to expand...

Here is the verse in it's context,

Keeping alert seems to be akin with "continuing earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it (prayer), with an attitude of thanksgiving".

Paul then asks for prayer that God would open the door for him to speak about Christ to his captors. He adds we are to walk in wisdom toward those who are not believers, using our time wisely and being gracious to all we come in contact with.

I think remaining in prayer and being vigilant in it with thanksgiving is necessary to walking in wisdom toward those who are outside, so that we can answer with graciousness and not screaming and yelling at them because of their sins.

FoundInGrace said:

What do you think "keeping alert" in prayer means in this verse?

Col 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

Click to expand...

I think the "in it" goes to the "devote" rather than the "prayer."
In this context, it would seem to mean to be focused in your prayer toward thanksgiving.

Keeping alert in prayer means we shall not response with anger toward hostile people and situation instead we give ourselves to God in prayer.

May Jesus bless you all HalleluYAH

Prayer is but one activity where awareness of those things that can affect the church is important.
You just can't have one without the other.