Devoted to Prayer
Devoted isn’t a word that we hear all the time. Certainly it’s more common around Valentine’s day. I think that’s why, when I hear the word, my first thoughts are of my husband and the love we share. When Tim signs a card, Your devoted husband, I feel treasured. For me, the word devoted carries with it a sense of tender love and deep commitment.
But what does it mean to be devoted to prayer?
Acts 2:42 tells us that the early church “… devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Paul tells us in Colossians 4:2 to “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (See also Acts 1:14; 6:4; and Romans 12:12)
Prayer is how we communicate with God and one way we cultivate our relationship with Him. Devotion to prayer (or deep commitment to prayer) is one way of expressing my love to God. It’s consistent and it takes some time. It’s not a “quick covering” for the day and what lies ahead. It’s being still and knowing that God is GOD; and allowing our hearts to connect so I can pray as He wants me to.
Lately I’ve become a little lazy in my prayer life. Yeah, I pray – every day, in fact. And I pray about a lot of things for a lot of people. But my devotion to prayer has been lacking. It’s time to rekindle the flame of tender love.