24 Aug September 18 Daily devotional

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

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHRISTIANS –  DEVOTE YOURSELF TO PRAYER

Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Jesus, in His Sermon On The Mount, encouraged prayer.  Matthew records this encouragement in chapter 7, verses 7 and 8:  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”  St. Paul also encouraged prayer:  “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

The Small Catechism asks, “Whose prayers are acceptable to God?”  The answer given is, “Only those who believe in Jesus Christ may pray to God and expect to be heard.”  This answer is based upon Jesus’ words recorded in John 14:13-14, “Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”  (see also John 15:7)

For what can you pray?  The answer to this question given in the Small Catechism is:  “In our prayers we should ask for everything that tends to the glory of God and to our own and our neighbor’s welfare, both spiritual and bodily blessings.  We should also praise and thank God for who He is and for what He has done.”

Your faith is essential to your prayer life.  Jesus said, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:22) James wrote, “Let him ask in faith, with no doubting for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.  For That person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:6-7)

The Holy Spirit helps you with your prayers as St. Paul says in Romans 8:26, “Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26)

God bless your prayer life!

Prayer:  (This prayer was prayed first by Jesus’ Disciples)  “Lord, teach us to pray.”  Amen.

Eternal Spirit of the living Christ,

I know not how to ask or what to say:

I only know my need, as deep as life,

And only You can teach me how to pray.

Come pray in me the prayer I need this day;

Help me to see Your purpose and Your will—

Where I have failed, what I have done amiss;

Held in forgiving love, let me be still.

Come with the strength I lack, bring vision clear

Of human need; O give me eyes to see

Fulfillment of my life in love outpoured,

My life in You, O Christ; Your love in me.

(LSB 769)