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

What is prayer but constant communication with the Lord?  What is obedience but listening to the one giving the instruction and doing what has been instructed.  Has not the Lord said that He came that He may teach us and that we will learn from Him and do as He has instructed?  Yes, listen to the Lord, be in constant communication, and do the will of the One who made you.

Lord, these simple things are between me and Thee.  Help me not excuse this away, for no one but You will know if I am a person of prayer.  Lead me to be whom You are making me to be and guide me according to Your purpose in the way I should go.  Through all things, help me to know, O Lord, that You alone are able to lead, for You alone know fully what is in my heart and where You are taking me.

Lord Jesus, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, help me to have ears that are open to hear, eyes that are open to see, and a willingness to do what You give me to do.  Help me hear what the world says and see what the world shows so that I may in contrast hear and see more clearly what You are saying and showing.  In all things, by Your grace, continue to lead me so that I may be with You always.  Amen.

“Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven” (Colossians 4:1).

We are each appointed to the place where we are.  The Lord gives to each according to His purpose.  Do not think you are something because you have a position of authority.  Instead, use the position to do justice, tempered with mercy.  In all things and with all people, be fair.  Is it not sad that doing these simple things is not what is normal but is considered extraordinary.?  Regardless, be just and fair to all.

Lord, where You have placed me in a position of authority, grant that I would be fair and just to all.  No matter the person or their circumstance, help me to treat others always as I would want to be treated.  Guide me, Lord, in the way I need to go and then help me go that way.  Now and always, lead me to be the kind of person You want me to be and the kind of person I will be in eternity.

Lord Jesus, You dealt with all people the same regardless of their circumstances.  Help me follow Your example and do what is right and fitting according to Your purpose.  Help me, O Lord, to see through the wickedness of this age and not follow its lead.  Instead, let me be known through what I do as one who is just and fair in all things.  Guide me, Lord, that I may follow You.  Amen.

“For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality” (Colossians 3:25).

I believe we sometimes think that we need to be caught before there is a punishment.  The truth is that whenever God’s law is broken, the consequence is built in.  We really do not get away with anything.  Do not be one who seeks to sneak, but one who is intentional and deliberate in all things.  Do what you do and do it the same no matter who is watching or no matter who it is for.

Lord, teach me to be always consistent.  Through all things, lead me in the way of everlasting life that I may now and always be guided by You.  Through these things, lead me to be consistent and impartial.  Help me to understand that You indeed love me, but that love is without partiality.  Teach me how to apply these things to my life so that I may grow in Your love and admonition.

Lord Jesus, You have loved each one of us impartially.  Guide me, O Lord, in order that I may now and always live in that love and see that love flow through me and out to others.  In You alone can I become what You are making me to be.  Through You alone are these things possible.  Help me this day to live Your possibilities and grow in Your goodness and likeness by doing what is right.  Amen.

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Colossians 3:23-24).

Do you remember the point where Jesus forgave sin.  By this, I mean that He forgives the sin of one against the other as if He were the One chiefly offended?  This is why He said: “forgive as you have been forgiven.”  Well, the reality is that those around you are not the chief point of existence; He is.  All things came in to being through Him and are for Him.  Learn to live this truth.

Lord, guide me in all truth.  You are Truth.  Help me see more clearly each day that in all I do, I am serving You.  Keep me from playing games even with myself so that I may be honest, direct and always truthful.  Guide me in this way of life that from the inside out in order that I may know that all I do matters in Your eyes.  You are the One whom I serve in and through all things.  Lead me to be genuine and true.

Lord Jesus, You have come in order that I may be guided into the truth of all life.  You have called me to go into the world and serve You when I serve others.  Wherever You send me, teach me how to serve You as You want to be served.  You first served me, now teach me how to serve You.  Guide me to do this with a gracious and thankful heart in all I do that I may honor You.  Amen.

“Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord” (Colossians 3:22).

Most of us will experience times where we do not like our circumstances.  Some have lives that are a bad circumstance.  Those who are well and whole cannot fully understand the lives of those who have needs and are disadvantaged.  But in all circumstances, no matter what they are, live from the inside out knowing that the Lord who sees all things will lead you no matter your circumstances.

Lord, in this insensitive give-me-what-I-want world, help me to be genuine.  Guide me away from thinking that what I do does not matter.  Lead me to treat everyone in every circumstance in the truth that You love them and have commanded that I love them also.  Help me to do this.  Guide me according to all that is good so that I may now and always live into the life You have granted me by Your grace.

Lord Jesus, You are the One through whom all things have their being, but You came as a servant of all.  In Your example, teach me to live knowing that others are equally valued in Your eyes and worthy of any love I may give.  Guide me to love others according to the Father’s purpose.  Through all that comes, guide my heart to be willing, in every circumstance, to love as I have been loved.  Amen.  

“Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.  Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart” (Colossians 3:20-21).

Again, we see the encouragement to be in a proper relationship with those around us.  Many times it is simply an order of things, but the Lord intends that we relate one to the other.  This is as it should be and we are told of the boundaries and how God intends things to work.  Work then by applying what You know to be the right boundaries in your life amongst those with whom you relate.

Lord, teach me to be obedient to You in all things.  You have shown me how long-suffering You are.  Help me to be the same with those around me so that I would not exasperate them.  Guide me now and always in the way of everlasting life.  Help me to see clearly the way You have set before me.  In and through all things, lead me Lord and help me to do these things which are right.

Lord Jesus, You were obedient even unto death on the cross.  I cannot be You, but I can become like You, doing what You give me to do.  Lead me in these things, Lord, so that I would put them into effect in my life and learn a little more this day of what these things mean.  Through all that You give me to do, guide me in the upward way of salvation in order that I may be conformed to Your image.  Amen.

“Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.  Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them” (Colossians 3:18-19).

Be different.  The world treats others as if the one who is making the decision is the center of all things.  Is it any wonder there is contention in marriage?  If both will be like Christ and think of the other as more important than themself, the relationship will work.  Beyond this, why does Scripture give this admonition so often?  Is it perhaps that there are greater lessons for those who are the bride of Christ?

Lord, teach me all that I need to know.  Guide me in the way You know I need to go and then help me to move in that direction.  In and through all things, place in my heart the right attitude so that I would love others in the way You love them.  Move me away from being self-centered and demanding, and more like You, caring for others, their well-being, and encouraging them in their salvation.

Lord Jesus, You are the groom and we are the bride.  You set the example by dying for us.  In all of the relationships that I am in, help me to have the appropriate boundaries so that I may live according to Your goodness.  Guide me in the power of Your Holy Spirit this day so that I may now and always live into the life to which You have called me, knowing that this is the eternal life for which You are preparing me. Amen.

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17).

What is the focus of your life?  Is it to get ahead?  Is it to have a good time?  The Lord has called you to Himself so that the focus of your life might be your relationship with Him.  Is this what you are living for?  Come then and be redirected in the way of life which is the way of the Lord.  Do not live for the things of this age which are passing away, but for the eternity into which You have been called.

Lord, You know how much I wander in this world.  I am distracted by so many things.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of life that You have established so that I may now and forever be guided by You, the author of all life.  Teach me how to really live life, doing all that I do in, through, by, and for You, my Savior.  Let me learn how to rejoice and relish in these things and not worry about what You are accomplishing through me.

Come Holy Spirit and minister to my inner life.  You know where those places are that distract me from the one thing necessary.  Help me to turn my eyes outward so that I would do all I do because You have directed me in this way.  Guide me, Lord, and I will follow.  Teach me and I will learn.  Speak to me and I will listen.  I thank You for giving me grace, salvation, and a new life.  Amen.

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).

Are you listening to what the Lord is saying?  Not just receiving the words, but are you taking them in and letting the word dwell deeply within you ?  This is what this passage is asking and telling you.  If you actually take these words in, then you are listening.  If you gloss over them, then you are not and that is a problem.  The Lord intends your salvation to be from the inside out and include the whole person.

Lord, I have been guilty of shirking the gifts You have given me.  Guide me, O Lord, so that I may walk humbly in Your presence and receive all that You give.  Help me live into this life You have given by grace and grow in me that grace which is according to the Father’s will.  My ears need to be opened in order that I may receive all that You speak, listening to all that You command.  Help me receive You, Lord.

Lord Jesus, the Word made flesh, You have come to lead the way, grant grace through the price You paid on the cross, and help me model the godly life.  Help me to hear and understand Your words so that they may transform my life according to the plan You had for me from the beginning.  Lead me now and always that I may be guided by Your Word and by Your example now and forever.  May Your grace always overwhelm me.  Amen.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

What is the peace of Christ?  Is it not the reality that you are no longer hostile to the things of God but in His will?  Be at peace with the Lord knowing that in Him all things will be made complete.  The world continues its warfare, but you need not take part in it.  In Him, that is the Lord, there is assurance that all things will work together for good for those who love Him.

Lord, when I wander away from Your presence (knowing such a thing is not possible), guide me into understanding that You are with me always and that Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart.  Lead me in the way of peace so that I may now and always abide in Your presence knowing that You are always with me.  Guide me to share Your peace with all whom I meet.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for taking me away from the hopelessness of this world and giving me Your presence and peace through grace.  In You there is nothing but hope.  Apart from You is hopelessness.  Guide me now and always to walk humbly in the way You have established.  Lead me to abide in the fellowship You have given me in order that I may be strengthened in faith and hope.  Amen.