Devotion to Prayer
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” -Colossians 4:2
This simply stated verse holds so much meaning for me this month. In God’s perfectly orchestrated timing, November is the conclusion to a seven-month-long challenge I’ve been participating in with a group of friends. Each month we’ve fasted in specific areas of our lives (food, media, clothing, possessions, etc.) For our final month, we’re fasting from stress. (It’s just as hard as it sounds.) My best plan of action for reducing, if not eliminating the stress in my life this month, is to do just as Colossians 4:2 instructs; I am devoting myself to prayer. It takes great thought and intention, but I’ve been working to incorporate prayer throughout my day, at times when I would usually let my mind wander. I pray while I’m brushing my teeth, washing my hair, and folding laundry. I pray while I’m waiting in the school pickup line and prepping dinner each evening. I pray while I’m waiting for what seems like hours for my kids to get their pajamas on at the end of the night. It turns out, I have a lot more time to pray than I thought.
What does it mean to be “watchful” in our prayers? For me, this means staying alert and being aware of areas in my life and my family’s lives in which we may be vulnerable to attack. We need protection, wisdom, and guidance from our Father. We can’t face this world alone, and we aren’t meant to. The enemy will try to thwart us at every turn. My watchful prayers are ones in which I ask God to show me where I need Him most.
What does it mean to be “thankful” in our prayers? Many of us make a habit out of listing things we’re thankful for, especially in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. We keep gratitude journals and post our daily dose of thankfulness on social media. Most of us probably have no shortage of things to be grateful for, even if it’s for our most basic needs being met. It’s pretty easy to look around at my life in its current state and find an abundance of things to thank God for. I can look at my past and say the same. But what about thanking God for those prayers He has yet to answer? What about thanking Him for what’s to come? This requires a hefty amount of faith. This requires we trust that God has set answers in motion long before we can discern the results. It’s a whole different kind of thankfulness. This is where my heart is honing in this month.
Study & Reflection: Read Colossians 3:15-17 What areas in your life can you practice more gratitude? Why is it so difficult to give thanks in all we do? Read Colossians 4:2 again. Being watchful and being thankful seems to hold equal importance in our prayer life. Why do you think that is? What does being “watchful” in prayer look like for you? What does being “thankful” in prayer look like for you?
Prayer: Where in your day can you make time to pray more? What prayers are you still waiting to be answered? Are you trusting God has set His good and perfect plans in motion, even though you can’t see them? Ask Him to help you trust Him, and thank Him for answers on the way.