Today’s Encouragement is, “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” Colossians 4:2 NLT
Devote yourselves –
What are you devoted to? There are lots of options! We can be devoted to our jobs, professions, sports teams, hobbies, families, churches, spouses, and children.
But God, in His wisdom, advises us to be devoted to prayer. He knows, and has graciously told us, that prayer is the way to live!
Throughout the Bible, we are counseled to pray without ceasing, pray about everything, and pray persistently. Ever wonder why?
Is it possible that God desires a close relationship with us? Prayer is talking with Him, asking, seeking, and knocking (Matthew 7:7). And relationship is spelled T.I.M.E. God invites us to spend time, devoted, quality time with Him in prayer.
Be alert and grateful:
Alert prayer is conscious of His presence, His Spirit within us, listening to Him, and relating to Him as we pray. He is not far off and aloof. He is within us, nearer than any other!
In grateful prayer, we thank Him for all He has already done, and for all that He is going to do! We need not beg Him, pleading on our knees with tears, as if He would be impressed with our desperation! He already knows our needs! So, we pray with a thankful heart. But again, why pray?
Because He loves us, He wants a growing, vital relationship with us, to be not only a part of our lives, He wants to be the Center!
Thank You, Father, for the great privilege of prayer. Help us to be devoted to our relationship with You through prayer. Alert and grateful as we listen and speak to You, always.
Jesus at the Center
Israel Hawkins
Today’s Encouragement 