January 5, 2016

Colossians 4:2 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” (ESV)

Paul reminds us that prayer is a very important part of our spiritual life. If he felt the need to ask for prayer, how much more must we need to do so! This Scripture tells us to pray always. Too often we pray only when we think of it, or only when our need is great. Yet, God wants us to “pray without ceasing” (I Thes. 5:17). God desires that we think about Him and lift up prayer to Him throughout the day. He wants us to ask Him for help, thank Him for our blessing, and even praise Him for our very breath. The second part of this Scripture tells us to be watchful as we pray. Friends, we need to pray as if we expect that God will answer. We need to pray as if our very being depends on that relationship with our God. When we just give lip service to our prayers we are cheating God. When our prayers are routine and only done out of obligation, God will not hear our mutterings. Let’s fire up our prayer life today! Begin by praying about everything and with an expectancy that God will move in answer to our prayers. Then, thank God for loving us so much that He hears and responds to us!