Gingerbread Crumbs & Company

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Colossians 4:2

The Living Bible emphasizes a different aspect of this verse: "Don't be weary in prayer; keep at it; watch for God's answers and be thankful when they come." The Christian life is dependent upon constant communication. Just as Jesus was in continual and constant touch with His heavenly Father, I need to maintain a constant "open line" to heaven. And there's more involved than continually "asking"--I'm to be careful and consistent in thanksgiving as well. That means listening as well as talking--resting as well as walking. Once I've learned to turn my weariness over to the Great Burden-bearer, I should be more effective in both talking and walking.

Taken from the book: "Today, Lord, I Will"

My thoughts:

As I read today's devotion I thought to myself, "this is pretty basic stuff. Every Christian knows this simple principle...pray without ceasing." But then, I realized that I've been trying so hard to listen that I've stopped speaking. So the two must go hand in hand...in order to listen, one must pray and in order to pray one must listen.

I've been asking the Lord lately to release me from my ministry (selfish, I know), but in light of current events I don't think He will. I've always believed that some people are given a ministry for life while others are given them for a season. Mine I'm beginning to believe is for life.

So my prayer for today is:
Lord, please give me the strength and desire to continue in what You have set before me. Help me to do it with love and compassion, but above all help me to lay down my will before Your throne and desire Your will and not my own.