Be Alert!

     How many times have you began to pray, only to find your mind wandering? I know it has happened to me on numerous occasions, and I have talked with others who have admitted to the same.
     We kind of excuse ourselves, finding comfort in the fact that others experience this same problem. We blame it on the flesh, or being tired (Remember the Disciples with Jesus in Gethsemane?), we blame it on the devil,and sadly do little to remedy the problem.
     This is what the Apostle Paul says about this.

     Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with with an attitude of thanksgiving.
     Colossians 4:2 (NASB)

     Instead of excuses, Paul exhorts these Christians to devote themselves to prayer, and to be alert in it!
     Prayer is vital to our walk with Christ, and vital to the work that Christ has called us to do for His kingdom. Without prayer, nothing is done. Without prayer, we are weak and powerless. It is fervent prayer that accomplishes much (James 5:16). Jesus rebuked His disciples for not being able to stay awake for one hour so they could watch and pray with Him (Matthew 26:40,41).  What would He say to many of us today?
     I understand that the flesh is weak, and about the time we get serious about prayer, something will come up, we might find it hard to get up, and our minds will begin to wander. Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), and pray at all times in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20). That is, under His direction, and in His power, being filled with His presence in all its fulness.
     Yes it is hard, but we can rise out of the rut and have a vibrant, powerfull prayer life.