Cultivate the Discipline of Prayer –Beloved Women – March 11, 2019
READ
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. - Colossians 4: 2 NIV
TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT
As the granddaughter of a Baptist pastor, I am no stranger to prayer. Countless times, I've listened to the petitions of old church mothers, nodded my head in agreement with the prayers of elders, and by the time I hit Kindergarten I had memorized a few prayers of my own.
These prayers, easy and memorable, were like praying with training wheels. They gave me the foundation I needed but would eventually prove insufficient to sustain me. It didn’t take long for me to realize I needed God… badly. So the training wheels came off and I began to learn what an honest conversation with God looked like. It was in this place of dependence on God that my prayer-life matured.
I believe this is why the apostle Paul says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,” in Colossians 4: 2 (NIV). We are to cultivate the habit of communing with God until it becomes a natural part of our daily lives. Prayer is not a list of formalities and rules. Prayer is constant communication with God and is necessary to have a genuine and growing relationship with Him.
PRAY
Dear Heavenly Father, Help me to cultivate a relationship with You through daily communion. Lord, please draw my heart closer to You when I am tempted not to prioritize prayer. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
REFLECT
How might God be leading you to cultivate the spiritual discipline of prayer?
CONNECT
For more encouragement from Kia Stephens download her free ebooks, Hope for the Woman With Father Wounds and Forgiveness Hacks: 5 Strategies to Help You Forgive.
RELATED RESOURCE
Don’t let a busy life stop you from spending time in God’s Word. The LIFE Bible Journal is here to help you experience the benefits of intentionally studying the Bible. Each study page guides you through your personal Bible study helping you to practically understand and apply God’s Word to your everyday life. See how simple and rewarding Bible study can be with the LIFE Bible Journal. Click here to get your LIFE Bible Journal today!
© 2019 by Kia Stephens. All rights reserved.
For more Beloved encouragement including Daily Devotionals, practical advice for everyday Christian living, Bible Studies, and more be sure to visit us at www.belovedwomen.org.