Devoted to the One I Love

What a simple, yet great set of instructions we are given regarding our prayer life in Colossians 4:2 –

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

First we are told to be devoted to prayer.  That means we are displaying a strong affection or attachment to our prayer life.  We are dedicated, loyal and devout to our prayer life.  We are set apart for prayer.  That doesn’t mean we just pray when we can fit it in.  It doesn’t mean it is two sentences of, “Hi God! and “How are you?”.  Prayer is a time of communication, conversation and relationship growing.  We should want to be spending time in prayer with God who loves us.  Just like those conversations we long for with our new boyfriend or girlfriend.  We want to share everything with them.  We want to learn everything about them.  We can’t wait for those stolen moments to be together and talk.  Phone calls last for hours and are regular.  How come we don’t feel like that about our Lord who saved us and gave us eternal life?  How come we don’t feel that way about God who made the ultimate sacrifice for us?  Yet for someone we just met, we can’t wait to spend every moment with them.  We need to adjust our thinking and follow these instructions, because they will greatly benefit us.  Next it tells us to be watchful.  Watchful means that during our prayer time and after we are closely observant, alert; vigilant, aware, careful, not sleeping and awake.  Just like when the disciples fell asleep in the garden instead of spending just one hour in prayer with the Lord.  It meant a lot to Him and he was disappointed.  We are to be looking for something.  We are to be expectant.  It is after all a two way conversation.  Shouldn’t be expected God to converse with us?  Shouldn’t we be expected His thoughts on the subject we are praying about?  Shouldn’t we want to hear an answer?  After all He is the wisest source of knowledge and best provider there is.  Lastly we are instructed to be thankful.  We really truly should be thankful that the omnipotent and omniscient God is so loving, kind and merciful to us and wants to be a friend that converses with us regularly.  We should be truly thankful for whatever He allows in our lives.  It is all meant for good.

Devoted to the One I Love

What a simple, yet great set of instructions we are given regarding our prayer life in Colossians 4:2 –

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

First we are told to be devoted to prayer.  That means we are displaying a strong affection or attachment to our prayer life.  We are dedicated, loyal and devout to our prayer life.  We are set apart for prayer.  That doesn’t mean we just pray when we can fit it in.  It doesn’t mean it is two sentences of, “Hi God! and “How are you?”.  Prayer is a time of communication, conversation and relationship growing.  We should want to be spending time in prayer with God who loves us.  Just like those conversations we long for with our new boyfriend or girlfriend.  We want to share everything with them.  We want to learn everything about them.  We can’t wait for those stolen moments to be together and talk.  Phone calls last for hours and are regular.  How come we don’t feel like that about our Lord who saved us and gave us eternal life?  How come we don’t feel that way about God who made the ultimate sacrifice for us?  Yet for someone we just met, we can’t wait to spend every moment with them.  We need to adjust our thinking and follow these instructions, because they will greatly benefit us.  Next it tells us to be watchful.  Watchful means that during our prayer time and after we are closely observant, alert; vigilant, aware, careful, not sleeping and awake.  Just like when the disciples fell asleep in the garden instead of spending just one hour in prayer with the Lord.  It meant a lot to Him and he was disappointed.  We are to be looking for something.  We are to be expectant.  It is after all a two way conversation.  Shouldn’t be expected God to converse with us?  Shouldn’t we be expected His thoughts on the subject we are praying about?  Shouldn’t we want to hear an answer?  After all He is the wisest source of knowledge and best provider there is.  Lastly we are instructed to be thankful.  We really truly should be thankful that the omnipotent and omniscient God is so loving, kind and merciful to us and wants to be a friend that converses with us regularly.  We should be truly thankful for whatever He allows in our lives.  It is all meant for good.