(Colossians 4:2, NIrV)
As my boys and I study the book of Colossians together, I was struck by this verse and its translation. Three things stood out to me as I paused to reflect on this powerful piece of Scripture.
First, the fuel for prayer is gratitude. If our hearts overflow with gratefulness for how Jesus has redeemed us, then our hearts will be compelled to praise our Creator and maintain regular communication with Him throughout our days.
Second, as a Christian prayer should be as natural as grabbing our morning coffee (or tea!) to start our day. We should have conversations with the Lord as we notice a neighbor walking her dog, drop off our kids at school, struggle to parent, or spy a bird searching for worms from our window. Prayer should encompass our entire day. And these prayers entail praising God for who He is as well as lifting up others we encounter and asking for His help.
Three, the only way we can cultivate a lifestyle of prayer is through intentionality. We can tend our hearts and disciple ourselves to turn to Jesus throughout our day over and over. Perhaps we set timers on our phones to remind ourselves. Or maybe we have certain times each day we'll pause. Maybe having Scripture placed at strategic places in our homes and cars can help point us toward prayer. But what better way to turn our gaze back to our beloved Savior than to reflect on His greatness?
This verse reveals a cycle for prayer: as we praise Jesus our heart is stirred to praise Him and converse with Him as we go about our daily rhythms. As we continue to reflect on His greatness, we are compelled to keep talking with Him. Let's train our hearts to be in communion with our Lord as we walk through our days.
Lord Most High, stir our affections for you. May we delight in you more than anyone or anything else. May our hearts overflow with joy and gladness at how great you are. Teach us to cultivate prayer through meditating on your greatness and conversing with you throughout our days. Help us to be intentional and turn our focus to you so we aren't consumed by lesser things. May we "seek [your] presence continually! [And] remember the wondrous works [you] have done" (Ps. 105: 4, 5). Thank you that "you remain the same, and your years will never end" (Ps. 102:27). Amen.
As my boys and I study the book of Colossians together, I was struck by this verse and its translation. Three things stood out to me as I paused to reflect on this powerful piece of Scripture.
First, the fuel for prayer is gratitude. If our hearts overflow with gratefulness for how Jesus has redeemed us, then our hearts will be compelled to praise our Creator and maintain regular communication with Him throughout our days.
Second, as a Christian prayer should be as natural as grabbing our morning coffee (or tea!) to start our day. We should have conversations with the Lord as we notice a neighbor walking her dog, drop off our kids at school, struggle to parent, or spy a bird searching for worms from our window. Prayer should encompass our entire day. And these prayers entail praising God for who He is as well as lifting up others we encounter and asking for His help.
Three, the only way we can cultivate a lifestyle of prayer is through intentionality. We can tend our hearts and disciple ourselves to turn to Jesus throughout our day over and over. Perhaps we set timers on our phones to remind ourselves. Or maybe we have certain times each day we'll pause. Maybe having Scripture placed at strategic places in our homes and cars can help point us toward prayer. But what better way to turn our gaze back to our beloved Savior than to reflect on His greatness?
This verse reveals a cycle for prayer: as we praise Jesus our heart is stirred to praise Him and converse with Him as we go about our daily rhythms. As we continue to reflect on His greatness, we are compelled to keep talking with Him. Let's train our hearts to be in communion with our Lord as we walk through our days.
Lord Most High, stir our affections for you. May we delight in you more than anyone or anything else. May our hearts overflow with joy and gladness at how great you are. Teach us to cultivate prayer through meditating on your greatness and conversing with you throughout our days. Help us to be intentional and turn our focus to you so we aren't consumed by lesser things. May we "seek [your] presence continually! [And] remember the wondrous works [you] have done" (Ps. 105: 4, 5). Thank you that "you remain the same, and your years will never end" (Ps. 102:27). Amen.