Alertness in Prayer

Do you ever find yourself praying repetitious prayers... perhaps a bit religious sounding, perhaps a bit lifeless feeling? Look for keys to powerfully effective prayers here. Keep Reading...

​READ
Colossians 4:2 - Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.

THINK ABOUT IT
There are keys we read about in Colossians 4:2 that will focus and sharpen our prayer lives. After all, God wants us to pray with power and effectiveness so that real change is accomplished.

DEVOTE - We are called to devote ourselves to prayer. This calls for dedication in our time, focus and energy to prayer. Will you devote, or set aside, time to be with God in prayer? Of course, we can pray on-the-go prayers all the time. But, devotion requires a commitment of time. Devotion also requires a focus of our energy. It's possible to waste 10 minutes of devoted time with passive praying. The prayers of devotion call for passion and an expenditure of energy.

KEEP ALERT - It's not just about the amount of time spent or the energy output. We need to know what to pray about. This is where the key of alertness comes in. To be alert means that we are watching and listening to what God is doing and saying before we pray. We need to take our cues from him. If we ask, and if we keep listening, he will prompt us (give us cues / ideas) about how to pray. He wants our spirits to stay in a position of alertness, which is readiness to listen and pray as he speaks.

GIVE THANKS - This can sound like a very obvious spiritual activity. But it is thanksgiving in prayer that brings the final breakthrough. We thank God for his victory, even before we see the final answer to prayer. We are praying in faith, thanking him for his character who always hears and answers. Prayers that lack faith (and real fire-power) will be shown through a lack of thanksgiving. Do not regard thanksgiving as an optional extra. It is vital to seeing power released through your prayers.

PRAY
Dear Jesus, I commit to set aside time and energy for prayer. I want to listen and follow You in prayer - not just pray out my ideas. Thank you for the gift of prayer. In Jesus' name, Amen.