Freely Speaking - Devotional by Sharee Gaiser

Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.

Today’s devotional was written and narrated by Sharee Gaiser.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” — Colossians 4:2 NIV

Most days, I quietly go about the rhythms of life — working, volunteering, catching up with family or friends, or enjoying the hobbies that refresh my soul. Yet woven throughout these seemingly ordinary moments, God often gets my attention in unexpected ways.

Sometimes a person’s name suddenly comes to mind and lingers there. Other times, I see a prayer request appear in our church prayer app, or I feel a gentle prompt in my spirit that someone is struggling. Occasionally, I cannot explain it at all, only that I feel drawn to immediately stop and pray.

In those moments, I experience what I would describe as a burden to pray. While the word “burden” can sound heavy or negative, it feels very different to me. It is not a crushing weight, but a holy invitation. A gentle stirring from the Holy Spirit that calls me to pause, shift my focus from myself to God, and share my heart with Him in prayer.

I love the simplicity and intentionality of today’s verse. Paul does not describe prayer as something occasional or reserved only for our out-of-control days. He encourages believers to devote themselves to prayer, living with attentive hearts that are watchful and thankful for God’s presence. That posture of watchfulness reminds me that prayer often begins with awareness. Sometimes God gently draws our attention toward a person, situation, or need because He is inviting us to respond in prayer. He wants us to act!

These nudges also remind me that prayer is not simply a routine or religious obligation. It is a privilege to partner with God in prayer, and it always encourages and strengthens my faith. The more I respond to these promptings, the more aware I become of God’s nearness and His deep care for others.

Perhaps you have experienced this too—a sudden thought, a person unexpectedly placed on your heart, or a gentle prompting to pray. How might God be using these moments to draw you into deeper dependence, compassion, and communion with Him?

Thank you for joining us today. To learn more about OhSoFree Ministries and Gracelight Collective, please visit us at www.gracelightcollective.org