iPray
Devoted to Prayer – Part 1

Scripture Reading: Colossians 4:3-6

Key Verse: Colossians 4:2

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

A good definition of the word devoted is “zealous or ardent in loyalty” (dictionary.com).  The Apostle Paul insists that the Colossian Christ followers become zealous and ardent in their loyalty to praying!  Do you know anyone who is a zealous and ardent participant in a sport or secular activity?  If so, you can get a mental picture of what the Holy Spirit had inspired the apostle to write.

          When we talk about the spiritual disciplines, we will always be walking a fine line.  It is easy to slip over into legalism.  I like to say, spiritual disciplines—such as prayer—take discipline, but should not become a discipline.  In other words, prayer is not meant to be a drudgery that must be done in order to secure God’s favor.  Prayer is the joy of a Christ follower’s life in that it relieves stress and anxiety when we present our cares to an Almighty God who cares for us.  However, with so many distractions in our lives, it will take discipline to pray and not give up (Luke 18:1). 

          Let’s determine to be loyal to our time of prayer.  The devil will try to throw obstacles in our way.  There will always be reasons not to pray; the evil one will make sure of it.  A devotee of prayer fights through those times when it would be so easy to skip prayer.  There are many reasons to become a devotee of prayer, but the top reason is: consistent prayer develops an intimate relationship with God.

Father, I want to know you on the deepest level possible in this life.  I am determined to be a devotee of my time with you in prayer.   In Jesus’ name, amen.