Continue in Prayer
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Devoting Ourselves to Prayer
Colossians 4:2 KJV:
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Colossians 4:2 NASB:
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
Today, we’ll look at three things:
- Waiting in silence
- How do we hear
- Focus on others
Waiting in silence
Psalm 62:1 ESV:
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.
Psalm 46:10a ESV:
“Be still, and know that I am God.
Matthew 6:6 ESV:
But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Waiting in silence is not really about a place; it’s a place we go to in our hearts. It’s accessible to us no matter where we are. The silent part is what’s important, not the place.
Silence doesn’t mean getting rid of all thoughts; that doesn’t work. But turn your thoughts to God and His Word. The simple word picture for the Aramaic word for prayer means “to lean toward.” You can only think one thought at a time.
Take a moment right now and close your eyes. And just say, “God, are you there?” And just listen. “God, do you love me? Are you here?” Ask something else.
That is something you can think about and practice this coming week.
How do we hear
Ecclesiastes 5:1–3 NASB:
1 aGuard your steps as you go to the house of God, and approach to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Do not be quick with your mouth or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.
We are disoriented to what prayer really is. Prayer is not designed as a means for us to change God. It is a time for God to change us.
Prayer is a transforming activity. Experiencing God’s Voice pg. 121.
Philippians 4:6–7 KJV:
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Developing the habit pattern of listening and hearing is a lifelong adventure. As we do it, God will teach us how to hear more clearly.
Psalm 40:1 KJV:
I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me [he turned to me], and heard my cry.
The key to God transforming us is not found in what we say as we pray but in what we hear. As God speaks to us, we cannot remain unchanged. Experiencing God’s Voice pg. 122.
Focus on others
When our thoughts turn to others, God is always right there with an answer.
Philippians 2:3 APNT:
And do not do anything with controversy or with empty boasting, but with humbleness of mind. Everyone should count his associate as better than himself.
Philippians 2:3–4 KJV:
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Choose someone you don’t know very well and take turns praying for each other.
Scripture References
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture marked (NASB) taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
This teaching is also available on the Acts Now Fellowship website.
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