DEVOTED

Colossians 4:2

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

In our Christian life, we are entreated to continue steadfastly in prayer, to pray continuously, to present our needs before our Heavenly Provider, to lift up others to the eternal throne of grace, and to bend our ear to His gentle promptings. This is proposed by Paul as a duty and responsibility, and yet it is the greatest privilege given to us as believers to come before the throne of grace with petitions, prayers, and pleas for our fellow man and our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The curtain between man and God has been torn and we are called upon to enter the holy place. We are to bring in our hands, the needs of others, together with our grateful thanks, and to offer them in humble reverence before the feet of our Father in heaven.

So, if this kind of prayer is the natural overflow of a life that regularly delights in and depends on God, how can you and I do just that? We can start by praying each prayer in light of the Gospel. Remember the Good News about Jesus that straying, sinful men and women who delight in the world and depend on themselves, can, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, experience forgiveness and freedom, in order to delight in and depend on God.

Brothers and sisters, friends, that's why real change in our prayer life is impossible apart from the Gospel, because only faith in the Gospel can change the ultimate orientation of our hearts when it comes to delighting and depending. Pour out your heart to God. He knows what is troubling you. But tell Him anyway. Seek His direction for your life and service within the kingdom. Wrestle in prayer for others and their work. Express thanksgiving and praise to the One who has saved you and brought you into the Kingdom of God. Devote yourself to prayer!!!

Father, thank You for this day and bless You for Your grace and mercy to us. Lord. let Your abundant blessings fall from the storehouses of heaven over my friends and family today. Lord, thank You that we have the right to lay our needs and those of others at Your feet. Lord, increase our understanding of the great privilege of prayer, which has been granted to us and all Your children, and we pray that we will increasingly devote our lives to You in prayer, praise, and grateful thanks. Lord, use my friends to be someone's blessing today.

Father, we love You. Amen.