Devoted is a pretty strong word – it means “fully attached to, set aside for, constantly attending.” It is used in Scripture of the personal servant of Roman centurion Cornelius, Simon the magician who followed Philip around in amazement at the Spirit’s power, of civil servants being about their tasks, and of the boat that Jesus said needed to stand ready because the enthusiastic crowd was about to crush Him. I guess it could describe my family’s current attitude toward OKC Thunder Basketball…

I was arrested this morning by the word devoted in Colossians 4:2, where Paul instructs us to be “devoted to… prayer.” Hmmm… am I following through on this? Am I “fully attached to, set aside for, and constantly attending to” heart-felt petitions to the Lord for my needs and the needs of others, with attendant thanksgiving as well?

Acts 1:14, 2:42 says the early church was.

Acts 6:4 says the Apostles made this a priority.

Rom 12:12 says it is to be true of the “normal Christian.”

Then Paul just flat our commands my devotion here in Col 4:2.

Hmmm… I need to think more about what it practically means for me to be “devoted to prayer.” In the constant effort to bring my life more and more into line with what the Scriptures actually say, I think I have some adjustments to make.