Several months ago I was challenged by a particular verse in my daily Bible reading. The verse was Colossians 4:2 and it says:
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
I wanted to look up another word for devote and two synonyms came up: strong love and loyalty. The reason this verse challenged me is because loyalty is something I value from people I know, whether they be staff, friends, etc. Many times in the past I have looked at prayer as something that was easy to do when in a corporate setting, or when I had sinned. Isn’t prayer more than a quick plea for help or a “get out of jail free” card for when I sinned? We all know it is. I am learning more and more that so many things in my life need prayer. I want and need those times of prayer for simple communion with my Father. I want and need times of prayer so I can lay bare my hurts, my concerns, my questions, etc. I want and need times of prayer because they are moments when I can be in silence and listen to His Spirit teach me, guide me, and comfort me.
So while the verse was challenging, it also motivated me to ask for a greater perspective in how I saw prayer. It deserves my devotion and loyalty and it is something I should develop a strong love for. Just as I admire loyalty from people I interact with, I need to have even greater loyalty towards my Heavenly Father and my prayer life. Together, let’s continue to see prayer as a way to draw closer to Him so that our hearts are comforted, our spirits are strengthened and our minds are filled with a peace that surpasses all understanding.
End of article.