Thoughts about Prayer

Colossians 4:2-4  Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

            As a reminder, this is Paul’s letter to the fellowship of believers in Colossae, written while he was imprisoned in Rome. I find some interesting thoughts in Paul’s concluding remarks. He strongly urges the Colossians to be watchful and thankful in prayer. I wonder if Paul remembered hearing about the time when the disciples fell asleep while Jesus was praying in the garden. I think about times at night when I fall asleep in the middle of my prayer. Be watchful implies an alertness. God fully understands when we grow weary and tired, but in such times, would a simple short prayer be better than a longer one which we cannot finish? Something to ponder.

            The second word of advice, to be thankful, is something else Paul frequently reminded early Christians. Our prayers may not be answered in the way we might desire, but God is listening, and God is in control, and God will respond in ways we might not foresee nor imagine. So we pray; and we are thankful to our God who listens and always responds (e.g., yes, wait, no).

            Something else is striking about Paul’s request. He could have asked the Colossians to pray for him to be released from chains, but he didn’t do that. What Paul asked the Colossians to pray was Paul’s work and ministry to continue. He also asked the believers in Ephesus to pray for this same thing—not for Paul’s betterment, but for the task to which Paul had been called—to spread the gospel of Christ.

Ephesians 6:18-20  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

            On days when we are weary, when our prayers seem to go no further than the walls of the room in which we are praying; perhaps it is time to assess the content of our prayers. Are we watchful and alert? Are we lifting others up to the Lord? Are we more concerned with asking for personal needs, or asking the Lord for opportunities to open conversations with others who need to hear the gospel message? And are we taking time to notice and be truly thankful for how the Lord is working in our life?

 

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Thank you for hearing our prayers and always responding, even in ways we do not understand. Yet you are faithful. Help us to be alert to the opportunities you present us to share the gospel with others. Guide our words to respond to those opportunities. Strengthen our prayer life.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional Thoughts about Prayer appeared first on Write From My Heart at  

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

"The Golden Rule"

Dear Readers,

            It is rare that I use the works of another author, and when I do, I make every effort to cite sources properly and give credit to the author. Today, as I read  “Today’s Walk in the Word” by Joe Barnett, I thought it was something that should be shared with as many people as possible. This is a unique take on the true application of The Golden Rule found in Matthew 7:12 and I hope it brings you encouragement and motivation.

                                    Thank you, Dotty Willmon, author of Write From My Heart

 

FROM:  Today’s Walk in the Word, Pathway Evangelism enews@pathwayco.com

Written by: Dr. Joe Barnett

The Golden Rule

Do to others what you
would have them do to you.
       —Matthew 7:12

Confucius put the Golden Rule in negative form: “Do not to others what you would not wish done to yourself.”

So did Rabbi Hillel. Asked by a prospective convert to state the whole law while he stood on one leg, Hillel said, “What is hateful to you, do not do to anyone else.”

There is a vast difference between these negative maxims and the positive initiative Jesus taught: the negative can be fulfilled by inaction, the positive only by action. The person who declares, “I will not hurt,” is worlds apart from the one who vows, “I will help.”

When you follow Jesus’ Golden Rule, you are always respectful, never rude; always considerate, never callous; always kind, never cruel.

The Golden Rule only works
when you realize that it’s your move.

The post The Golden Rule appeared first on Pathway Evangelism, Inc.

Thank you, Joe Barnett, for your wisdom and faithfulness in writing!

Stormy Skies

Lamentations 3:21-26  Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion’ therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him’ it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

            Today’s scripture is one of my favorites for all sorts of times when navigating through “the storms” of life. Seasons of life come and go, difficulties and challenges, illnesses and concerns…they all present times of stress and discouragement. But God is faithful and his compassions for us never fail. Each and every day starts with a new opportunity to trust him and seek him and place our hope in him.

            This morning I’m watching the weather channel as once again this year, the State of FL is about to get hammered with another hurricane—this one, Helene. I have several cousins, nephews and their families, and many friends living in FL; so it is on my mind perhaps more than usual. What I know is this—God is watching over them. Storms come and go, and my prayers are that damage this time around will be minimal.

            I have many family and friends here locally, and many are facing storms and challenges of various sorts. What I know is this—God is watching over them as well. God is faithful. His compassions never fail and his mercies are new every morning.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Thank you for the comforting words of encouragement today. When we face storms whether naturally caused by weather or any other storms of life, we know you care deeply for us. Guide us to pass on the encouragement you give us to those around us.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional Stormy Skies appeared first on Write From My Heart at 

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com