March 31, 2004



Devote yourselves to Prayer

"Devote yourselves to prayer,
keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;" (Col. 4:2)

"Devote" is not a word we use very often. We might say that someone is devoted but we do not often challenge one another by saying "devote yourself…"

Yet, in the original language, this word gives quite a challenge. It is a compound word that means: "to focus strength in a certain direction." As we start the last ten of our 40 DAYS OF PRAYER, it is a good time for us to do a "devotion" inventory!

What are we learning during these 40 Days of Prayer?

Ask these questions as you pray today:

· Have I turned my heart toward God?
· Am I regularly spending time seeking His face?
· Have I confessed my sin and brought everything up to date with God?
· Have I realized my need for Him to work in my life?
· Have I really cried out to Him?
· Have I asked Him to change the way I see people?
· Am I depending on Him?
· Am I expecting Him to work in my everyday circumstances?

Let's keep turning toward heaven. Let's keep giving it our all and focusing our strength to seek Him. Let's DEVOTE ourselves to prayer.

Father,
Thank You for leading me to pray with my church family. Thank You for the lessons I am learning about regular times of devotion. I turn my heart toward You and want to learn how to hear Your voice and walk with You every day. With all my strength, I devote myself to prayer.
In Jesus' Name, Amen