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

At the beginning of the year I sensed the Lord's urging for me to grow in the area of prayer. To set aside focused time to pray expectantly. Since this time I have been meeting weekly with two very dear ladies who share the same passion for praying. We pray for each other, people we know, believers around the world as well as many other things. 

One of the beautiful things that has come from our time together is that our prayer has morphed into a time of being directed by the Lord rather than us bringing a list of items to petition Him with. In other words, we have gotten very bold and have grown in our ability to pray as He directs. 

“Prayer is not begging God to do something that He is loath to do. It is not overcoming reluctance in God. It is enforcing Christ’s victory over Satan” Paul E. Billheimer; Destined for the Throne.

The things we have learned and experienced can be gleaned from this short simple verse in Colossians, “Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2 AMP). Here are three keys to successful prayer; applying these will breath life and results. 

Be Devoted To Prayer

Prayer is a skill, it takes time to develop. To grow one must practice, which means growth comes from praying regularly. Paul said, “Pray continually” (1 Thess. 5:17). Pray without ceasing, pray perseveringly. James said, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16b). So the first key is placing importance on praying. If it is not something you see as important, you will never be devoted to it. 

Prayer carries with it a great promise from God—an answer, when the prayer is offered in faith according to God’s will. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15). This is incentive to pray; learn what God’s will is and pray in faith. When you do you will see results, He will answer your prayers.

Be Watchful, Alert & Intent In Prayer

I believe God wants believers to pray, because in it is the ability for Him to move and act. He has given authority on earth to believers (Matt. 18:18; Luke 10:17-19) which carries with it a great responsibility. Prayer is one of our greatest weapons (Eph. 6:18) in other words, a prayerless Church is a weak Church. 

Here’s a few thoughts from great men of faith…

“Only God can move mountains, but faith and prayer move God” E.M Bounds; The Necessity of Prayer.

“God does nothing but in answer to prayer” John Wesley.

“The prayer closet is the arena that produces the overcomer”  Paul E. Billheimer; Destined for the Throne.

Pauls instructions are that we are to be watchful, alert and intent in prayer. It is not a last resort, it is our first line of defense.

Be Thankful in Prayer

If devotion and intention gets us to the place where we are praying than gratitude and thankfulness is the key that unlocks the power of prayer. Why? Because praise elevates you into a different realm of praying. Praise turns the focus off you and onto God; the result is faith and remember the prayer of faith is powerful (James 5:16b); the prayer of faith is answered (I John 5:14-15) and the prayer of faith moves mountains (Mark 11:23-24).

“Praise is the detergent that purifies faith and purges doubt from the heart. The secret of answered prayer is faith without doubt (Mark 11:23). And the secret of faith without doubt is praise—triumphant praise, continuous praise, praise that is a way of life” Paul E. Billheimer; Destined for the Throne.

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Prayer is powerful… what keeps you from praying?