Colossians 4:2
To devote yourself to something by definition is to give all or a majority of your time and thought towards it. God says to devote ourselves to prayer. Be watchful and thankful.
I think of my son and a few things I've noticed of him recently. We dug out a old bb gun that I had from my youth and I took him outside to learn how to shoot it. He's been excited ever since to do it again. He's been collecting cans in anticipation. I mentioned the other day that he could go do it himself. He didn't want to. I tried to coax the reasoning out of him a bit and while its probably not all the story he said he wanted to wait and go out with me. I think of this picture now because I think of what it means to have relationship with God. Relationship with God is the thing we were designed to need most. There are things (good works) we do with and for God but the relationship is still the most important thing. Devoting ourselves to prayer seems mindful of this objective. If we are committed to prayer, we are committed to relationship and the experiences and tasks He has for us are out of that relationship rather than out of our own strength. Keeping in mind that the second part of this verse is to be watchful and thankful. Our hearts and lives are not simply pawns on a chessboard for God's purpose. His heart for relationship also desires input from our unique nature. He wants us to be aware of the needs around us and bring them to him and work together on them.
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