Vital Signs: Friday, February 28, 2025

Strengthening Your Prayer Life

"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart." - ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Part of discovering the value of a strong prayer life is identifying the things that cause us to drift from consistent prayer. Colossians 4:2 brings to mind three practical challenges we face with prayer:

1. A lack of dedication – Paul calls the Colossians to be steadfast and consistent.

2. A sluggish, distracted approach – Paul urges them to be watchful.

3. A selfish heart that prays only for requests – Paul emphasizes the importance of praise and thanksgiving.

It amazes me how Paul addressed these same heart issues two thousand years ago. Don’t we still blame distractions for interrupting our prayer time? Or say we "don’t have time," when in reality, it's about prioritization? And how often do we worry about treating God like a vending machine? I hear these struggles all the time from people who feel stuck in a prayer rut.

The fact that Paul wrote about these issues so long ago reminds me that:

1. I am not alone.

2. I don’t have to stay stuck—God has already provided the remedy.

My heart’s desire is for my prayers to be earnest, diligent, alert, attentive, and grateful. This passage motivates me to prepare my heart for meaningful time with the Lord.

Practical Steps:

✔ Dedicate time – Write it in your planner.

✔ Focus – Find a quiet spot, free from distractions.

✔ Give thanks – Write out five things you're grateful for.