The Gift of Prayer (Colossians 4:2-4)

Today's scripture: Colossians 4:2-4

Prayer is one of the greatest gifts and one of the greatest mysteries for Christ-followers.

It's a greatest gift because, through prayer, we can talk with our triune God—Father, Son, and Spirit.

Through prayer, we can praise Him for His blessings. We can praise Him for His attributes. We can praise Him for His work in our lives.

Through prayer, we can thank Him for provision, for healing, for protection.

Through prayer, we can intercede on behalf of our friends and family.

Through prayer, we can make requests, asking for the desires of our heart.

But prayer is also a great mystery. If God knows everything—and He does—and if He has a plan in place for each of us—and He does—then why do we bother praying?

Well, part of prayer, as I mentioned, is our praising Him. Our glorifying Him. Our acknowledging that He is God.

What about making requests, though? How can my asking for something have any affect if God already knows the big picture? You know something? I don't really know the answer. I do know, however, that we're commanded to pray. I do know that time spent in prayer brings me closer to my Lord. My focus is on Him and His will. When I do pray for something, I always ask for it according to His will.

And I do believe that God brings desires to my heart that come directly from Him, so when I pray for them, I'm praying for His desires for me.

Prayer also leads to trust. If I trust God to care for me and provide for me, I can trust Him to answer prayers according to His will. Prayer also helps make me more patient because, even though He may answer "yes" or "no" right away, often times He asks me to "wait."

I may not always understand how God does what He does, and I may not have a full understanding of how prayer works. But one thing I do know. Prayer does work.