Devotion, Not Distraction
August 29, 2008

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

I am glad that Paul admonished us to “keep alert” in prayer … because I need that admonition all too often. I get distracted. I get tired. I get bored.

I have found certain aides to keeping alert in prayer:

• Writing my prayers out so that I am forced to focus on the words.
• Using the Scriptures as an outline for my prayers so that I pray more comprehensively for a situation. For instance, I have used I Corinthians 13 while praying for a troubled marriage, praying through each aspect of love that is mentioned there.
• Praying written prayers written by other people, such as those found in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.
• Spending time in worship to focus on God and who he is, and letting the words of the songs become my prayer.
• Scheduling time to pray when I am energized and at my best, rather than when I am tired.

Consider:

• What is your main barrier to effective prayer? Do you get distracted? Tired? Bored? Busy?
• What has helped you in the past to keep alert in prayer?
• What new steps could you take in the future?