Today, Father, has been like many other days – with the exception of a root canal being completed… And even that is not nearly as bad as they have been in the past. Regardless, I am weary in mind and body and feel the need to just crash tonight. May the word given continue to impact as it has in years past. Amen.
Colossians 4:2 (<<click here to read the passage)
“Devoted to prayer” “alert mind” “thankful heart”
Some of the best things in life are not complicated. We can make them complicated but at their core, they are quite simple, sort of like a grilled cheese sandwich. Even I can make a good grilled cheese. All it takes is bread, cheese, and butter. It’s not that difficult.
Prayer – it’s not that difficult. Paul’s recipe is quite simple – devotion, an alert mind, and a thankful heart.
Lord, help me to pray. Sometimes we feel like it has to be this huge list of requests that are tough to get through and we just can’t take the time to go through it in one sitting. Paul elsewhere directs us to “never stop praying” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and our initial response is usually “I can’t pray all the time – I have way too much to get done!” When Paul says to “devote ourselves to prayer” it’s more of a mindset. “Lord guide and direct me throughout this day.”
Prayer is not just about talking – it’s also about listening. Getting in the habit, devoting ourselves to prayer helps us to be more attuned to hearing God’s voice of guidance. And that’s where an “alert mind” comes in. Lord, we have to pay attention! So many things distract us! And we have to be alert because as Peter says in 1 Peter 5:8 our “enemy the devil prowls around like a raging lion looking for someone to devour” Prayer helps us to pay attention to do good and to avoid and/or stand up to evil.
The last ingredient then is a “thankful heart.” There is nothing better to keep us focused in life. Humble gratitude enables us to realize that we didn’t get where we are through sheer talent and hard work. Those are surely elements but they are also gifts our Creator has given us. Understanding that keeps us focused on Him – we need His support and guidance to get us through this life. Being thankful also goes a long way to keep our own pride in check. Acknowledging God’s generosity in our lives keeps us humble. This makes us better servants, too. We all are part of God’s loving creation and we are called to love each other.
Lord, this day and in all the days ahead, may I be devoted to prayer, help my mind to be alert to You and what’s around me and help me to give thanks when it is due and to humbly serve You in my interactions with others. Amen!
July 2nd, 2015, Thurs, 6:59 am
