August 7 Daily Devotional

28 Jul August 7 Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS

TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER

Colossians 1:9  “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.”

St. Paul and Timothy were men of prayer.  Included in their prayers were the Christians at Colossae.  In this letter they make sure that the people in that congregation were aware of their continued prayers in their behalf.

Jesus encouraged prayer. “Jesus told His . . . they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1)  St. Paul, in most all of his letters encouraged the Christians to “. . . pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me.” (Ephesians 6:18-19) Rather than be anxious and worry, St. Paul exhorted, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) And, he exhorted that they pray constantly. (Romans 12:12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

The Disciples of Jesus observed Him pray often.  His prayer life caused them to ask Him to teach them to pray. (Luke 11:1-13) It was on this occasion that Jesus gave them a model prayer which today we know as The Lord’s Prayer.  You and your fellow Christians pray this prayer often, starting with praying it is most all worship services. I’m sure you pray it on almost a daily basis because it incorporates most all of your needs you desire to speak about with your Father in heaven. On any occasion when you find it difficult to put a prayer into words you can pray this prayer because it is so inclusive.

Prayer is so important that God the Holy Spirit.  St. Paul states, “. . . the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)

Whatever is on your heart or in your mind regarding yourself or someone else, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Prayer:  “Lord, hear and answer my prayers according to Your will and for my good.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry Ev’rything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit; Oh, what needless pain we bear—

All because we do not carry Ev’rything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged— Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our ev’ry weakness— Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge— Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer.

In His arms He’ll take and shield thee; Thou wilt find a solace there.

(LSB 770)