First of all, we know from experience that prayer draws us closer to God and enhances our personal relationship with the Creator. No, we were not formed through the evolutionary process, as some have been wrongly taught. Let us set aside that humanistic thinking.
While humanity's wisdom had created comfort through technology, science and the arts, these facets of humankind have resulted in complexity. Life is moving at breakneck speeds as compared to the past, and we wonder how we can accomplish any and everything in the 24 hours of allotted time each day.
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" (Colossians 4:2, NIV).
So what does it mean to be devoted to something? The Free Dictionary defines devoted as "Feeling or displaying strong affection or attachment."
We would find this is a relationship with our loved ones, inclusive of family and friends, even our pets. But in the verse today it refers to being devoted to God and his word, and, of course, prayer, in order to deepen our relationship with God.
As an aside before delving deeper into the topic, I watched a film last night on #Netflix called "The Remaining." Without spoiling the flick, the plot is this: The Rapture has occurred and those who thought they were saved and heaven bound were left behind to contend with the Satanic forces that have been unleashed. This caused me to write about prayer today because I am a strong believer in its effects.
At any rate, note the word Yourselves. That's us, friends. God wants to communicate with us, his creation. A lot of times we just throw up our pleas and petitions to Him as if He were some magic genie that automatically grants us an unlimited supply of our wants rather than our needs. That's not how it works.
You see, friends, communication is a two-way process. We offer our prayers up. We then listen to His reply. How? The Holy Spirit will reply with verses from the everlasting word. Here's the catch (if there really is a catch, so to speak). If we haven't committed to reading, studying and memorizing verses from the Bible, how can we listen to His reply? Think and meditate on this.
Also, we have to train ourselves to be able to hear God's voice over what we think is His but in reality is our voice. Another thing: God doesn't always grant our petitions immediately. You see, friends, He is outside of what we refer to as time. God's ways are not our ways, and He will answer our prayers but his timing may very well be delayed.
Even the most dedicated believer has had his or her prayers and supplications denied, because His grace is sufficient for us. The Apostle Paul's infirmity is unknown, but he petitioned God to remove it three times and was denied. Paul learned that what he considered to be his weakness was used by God as a strength!
So what are we to be watchful for in this verse? The book of Matthew tells us one thing: "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (26:11).
Friends, we are eternal, spiritual beings existing in a fleshly body for now. Our flesh is weak. This is what is called our carnal nature or old person before we believed and were saved by God's grace. The carnal nature is still with us and that is why we continue to sin.
We observe our carnal nature when we step out of the spiritual and do or say things that God does not want us to say or do. Like Jesus, we are tempted daily to go against God's commands.
Being watchful helps us sin less not become sinless. Do you recognize the difference?
Finally, let's look at the word thanksgiving. We should be thankful that God hears us! We should be thankful that He loves, cares and provides for us. Throughout our prayers we should give thanks, and especially as we close our prayer.
We should also pray always. Anytime of the day, throughout the day, in the shower, at meals, and at bedtime. These don't have to be lengthy in nature, friends. Short prayers are also heard if they are sincere.
So then, let us pray devotedly, be watchful to avoid temptation from the evil one, and always be thankful, for God is good all the time.
Yes. Pray without ceasing!