I’ve read a number of books and articles about prayer, taken a few classes/seminars. I learned about the different styles of praying and probably done a few messages on prayer myself. If they gave me a test on prayer, I think I’d pass.
All that doesn’t matter. True, it’s nice to know all about how to pray, but the key is not knowing all there is to know about prayer. The key is praying, or as Paul said: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” [Col 4:2]
I love that word “devote” or as some translations render it, “continue.” According to Strong’s Greek/Hebrew dictionary, it means, “to be earnest towards…to persevere, be constantly diligent…adhere closely to.” Not sure you can get much clearer than that in how we are to approach prayer as a Christian.
Paul added that our devotion, our diligence, is first to be “watchful.” “Watchful” is a Greek word which means to “keep awake.” I’m laughing. Oh, how often I’ve gotten drowsy when praying. Of course, Paul was speaking of keeping awake in more than physical terms … we are to keep awake to what is going on in the spiritual realm. We can’t fall asleep to what the enemy of our soul is trying to accomplish in this world.
We are also to be “thankful.” “Eucharistia” is actively being grateful to God, as an act of worship. I am thankful. I am thankful that God knows my name, that He invites me to come to His throne of grace, that He has promised to hear me, never leave me and love me! I am thankful for so many things before I even get to my list of prayers He has answered!
Thank you Father!
