03/09/2026
PRAYER: First, Foremost, and Forever!!!
Day 1 Devotional.
#1 - Devote yourselves to prayer - V2
“2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak”. (Col 4:2-4 NAU)
1 - devote means to actually intentionally plan time in to pray. The Greek word here implies persevering with someone. To not quit. The English word devotion connotes an emotional tie that keeps us focused on that person.
2 – Paul is writing to the Colossians, and notice that “yourselves” is plural. He is talking to all the Collosians not just one. This devotion is not a singular thing; it is a church-wide group-wide endeavor.
3 – Prayer is just a conversation with God. Don't make it more than that. Don't complicate the simplistic beauty of God's design for us to spend time with HIM. Just talk with Him like you would talk with anyone else.
4 – Stay awake - “keep alert” don't fall asleep, or do this when you are exhausted, set time aside when you have energy and a clear mind.
5 – When you pray, do it with an attitude of gratitude because you, “Get to” participate in God's plan of salvation for those you truly care about.
So how can you devote yourselves to pray:
A - Set a time and keep it each day – morning, afternoon, evening – a time that you won't be bothered by others in your home.
B - Set a place aside in your home or room where you can remove all the distractions that will keep you from being alert and focused on what you need to pray for.
C - Set a group together that will support you in prayer and hold you accountable to be praying as well.
