praying effectively: Devotes Yourself to Pray (Col.4:2-4)

(Colossians 4:2-4)  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.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we devote ourselves to prayer (4:2)

- that we stay alert in prayer so that our requests are thoughtful, sincere, wise, applicable... (4:2)

- that we always pray with an attitude of thanksgiving (4:2)

- that we pray for not just ourselves, but for other believers, including missionaries and our spiritual preachers and teachers (4:3)

- that we ask for doors to open, with opportunities to share the gospel message (4:3)

- that we ask God for the right words to use when He gives us opportunities to present the gospel message (4:3-4)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your guidance and Your faithful presence.  May we not take that for granted.  Remind us that we can and should go to You for everything, in prayer and with an attitude of thankfulness.  Help us stay focused as we speak with You in our prayers.  Bring to mind things we should be praying for.  And give us insight into situations, so we may be praying effectively, in Your will.

Bless the efforts of pastors, spiritual leaders and teachers and missionaries.  Guide them to know how to use their time efficiently and effectively in their full time service to You.  Let them see the fruit of their labors.  And if that is not possible, give them the encouragement and confidence to know that their work is not in vain.  Help them to differentiate their personal time from their "work" time so that they do not grow complacent or weary.  Help them to know that just because they are not "working", their Christian walk with You should not take a break.

And help laypeople to realize that we should never put aside our Christian walk, even when we are at work.  Give us wisdom to not squander our employers' time and money.  Help us understand that even how we work, can be a testimony to all those around us.  Help us to trust that You will give us opportunities which are fitting to the situation.   

Give us the opportunities, no matter where we are, and help us see clearly when those doors are opened.  May we always be ready, and guide us to rely on You to give us the right words to share You and Your word, to Your glory.  Amen.