SEPTEMBER 13
Colossians 4:2: “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind, and a thankful heart.”
Happy Sunday! Today is the day The Lord has made. Let’s make a choice to rejoice, and be glad in it!
Today I’d like to focus on our minds during prayer. Have you ever noticed how much your mind tends to drift during prayer? Come on, be honest… It’s hard to stay focused. I was previously diagnosed with ADHD. It’s hard for me to stay focused for long periods of time on just one thing. Paul tells us in Colossians 4:2 to be devoted to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
Yesterday, we focused on gratitude in prayer. Today, let’s focus on an alert mind.
So, to start, let’s try to put away distractions. Maybe close all the apps on your device right now, aside from the one you’re reading this on.
Ask the Lord to give you a clear, focused mind. Ask Him to help you think correctly. Ask Him to help you be attentive mentally to what He is doing around you.
I have found that God tends to speak me through my mind and my heart together. When my mind is full or distracted, I hear Him less, and I intercede less.
One practice that helps me is to have a small pad of paper next to me as I pray, so that I can write down things that come to mind. Oftentimes I’ll even draw out little lines or boxes to help him distinguish the things I need to do later as well as the things that God is speaking to me in the moment.
Ask Him to bless your awareness today – that you would see correctly and make your thoughts a matter of prayer today.
You might pray along these lines, while you make the words your own…
“Father, today I ask that you would bless my mind. Give me an alert mind. Help me have wisdom to put down the things that are distractions to my mind. I choose to focus on you and what you are saying to me. Please speak to me throughout the day. Please help me turn my thoughts to prayers.
Please bless our church today and speak through the service to many people. Please help many people who are lost and hurting return home to your heart today!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Thanks for praying with me today! Wish I could give you a fist bump, elbow bump, bow, foot tap or a hug… whichever you’d prefer.
Love you guys so much, and I’m glad I get to be your pastor.
By the way, next time we see each other, if you want a hug just walk up and give me a hug. But, please don’t try to kiss me.
With love,
Pastor Andy
Comment below with your prayers, reflections, and whatever is on your heart as we pray together today.
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I personally like elbow bumps just because it’s new to most people and a little awkward. That Sunday service intro was righteous. Got me ready to win for God!
“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind, and a thankful heart.” I pray that God will show me what he would like me to focus on in the short term. I’ve always been passionate about the environment and finding solutions first to our immediate issues as a result of weather pattern changes. I do know that we can do much better than what we are doing today. I pray for leadership that makes future generations a top priority. Amen
I struggle hard with staying focused. I have been diagnosed with ADD. So I can relate Pastor Andy. We have been doing what are you grateful for and what do you need to give to Jesus
It is amazing how we can easily be distracted even during our prayer time!
Thank you for sharing this message! I’m feeling better knowing that I am not the only one who goes through this!
Thank you for your gracious and fun way of saying things! Blessings!!!