Saturday 21 Jun 2014

June 21: Colossians 4:2-6

Key Verse: Colossians 4:2
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

Devotion:
One of the most important parts of our Christian lives is the need for constant prayers; not so that God knows what we need, but that we know that we are bringing those requests to God. But prayer is certainly not a one way thing where we lift up our prayers and leave it up to God. Prayer is two way and we need to stop and listen for God’s answers to our prayers; expecting Him to answer and waiting patiently for those answers and being thankful for those answers when they do come. We may not always like the answers but we must know that they are in our best interests.

God is good! Never forget that! So don’t lift up your prayers and expect Him to take them away and always give you something else instead because that is you telling God in your heart that you don’t think He will answer your prayers. Expect God to answer prayers that you bring to Him earnestly and within His righteousness. Don’t limit your prayers to your own wants and needs but remember those around you as well. Take time to pray for your country’s leaders as they try to do what is best; maybe they do need prayers to try and get them to open their hearts to God instead of being blinkered by earthly matters all the time.

Take time to pray for your friends and family as they try to do what is best. There is no way that we can always work together because our needs and desires are so different; but God can find common ground where we can live together and grow together as well. Take time to pray for those spiritual leaders we know so they may be filled with more than they give out to others. Just because they are spiritual leaders does not mean that they don’t need refilling as well.

Pray for those who explain the word of God to us so they may be able to explain things in ways we will understand, and pray for a more open mind so that we you can better understand the bible as you read what the great men and woman of the past have written for our benefit. We need that wisdom so that we can share it with others around us, not just Christians but those who do not know Him yet. Pray for grace to live a life that others will see as being different so they seek the truth that we have found. And do not forget to praise God for all He already does!

Points to Ponder:
Who do you pray for?

Are you open to pray for more?