Introduction:

One of the main reasons God challenges us with adversity is so we will learn to trust more fully in Him. And a key facet of relying on the Lord’s strength rather than our own is being “devoted to prayer.”

q  Paul uses the term “devoted” in Romans 12:12 to mean literally “strong toward something,” in the sense of being steadfast and unwavering.

q  The early Christians, even before the Holy Spirit descended on them at Pentecost, were strongly committed to the need for regular prayer: “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers” (Acts 1:14; cf. 2:42).

q  The apostles also knew the importance of this principle and were determined to live by it. That’s why they refused to let themselves be distracted by other demands. Instead, they directed the selection of the first deacons: “But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task [serving food]. But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:3–4).

In developing practical holiness and integrity, we need to make earnest prayer as much a regular habit of our day as our other daily routines. If we are committed to such a discipline, we will pray “in the Holy Spirit” and “without ceasing” (Jude 20; 1 Thess. 5:17; cf. Eph. 6:18). That’s why Paul instructed Timothy to have “the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands” (1 Tim. 2:8).

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2)

Prayer is the strength of the believer’s fellowship with the Lord and the source of his power against Satan and his angels (cf. Eph. 6:18). Through prayer, believers:

q  confess their sin, offer praise to God, call on their sympathetic High Priest (Heb. 4:15–16), and intercede for each other.

q  Prayer from a pure heart (Ps. 66:18) is to be directed to God (Matt. 6:9), consistent with the mind and will of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:18), in the name of Christ, and for the glory of the Father (John 14:13).

In Colossians 4:2, Paul touches on an often overlooked aspect of prayer, that of perseverance. Devote yourselves means (”to be steadfast,” or “to endure”).  The verb means “to be courageously persistent,” “to hold fast and not let go.” Paul is calling strongly on believers to persist in prayer.

q  They are to “pray at all times” (Eph. 6:18; cf. Luke 18:1), “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17), and be devoted to prayer (Rom. 12:12). By so doing, they follow the example of Cornelius (Acts 10:2) and the apostles (Acts 6:4).

Praying at all times is not necessarily limited to constant vocalizing of prayers to God. Rather, it refers to a God consciousness that relates every experience in life to Him. That does not, however, prevent the need for persistence and earnestness in prayer. Such persistence is illustrated repeatedly in Scripture. The 120 disciples gathered in the Upper Room “were continually devoting themselves to prayer” (Acts 1:14). The early church followed their example (cf. Acts 2:42).

Our Lord told two parables illustrating the importance of persistent prayer: Luke 18:1-8; 11:5-10

       I also believe that the Lord is calling us in our time in which we live to have fruit that is lasting (John 15)