Devoted

Colossians 4:2

 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Why was the comma put in this sentence? Why didn’t it just say “Devote yourselves to prayer?”After all, we are told in another verse to pray without ceasing.

But this verse adds in being watchful and being thankful.

How are we supposed to be watchful in prayer?  I think we can be expectant for the answers to come, and then make sure we notice when they do.

How are we supposed to be thankful in prayer?  This is easy.  We can give thanks for God for he is good, and his mercy endures forever, and a myriad of other things that will keep us praising him all day.

If we are devoted to prayer, watching and expecting God to move, thanking him in all things, then what?

God will hear and answer, and we will be content and joyful.