Two Ingredients for Powerful Prayers

by Donovan Sabog on June 18, 2026

SCRIPTURE:

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Colossians 4:2

 

OBSERVATION:

In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches us what to pray. Known as “the Lord’s Prayer,” it goes “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:9-13 ESV). But HOW should we pray these words?

The apostle Paul shares with us two ingredients for powerful prayers in Colossians 4. What are they?

1. An Alert Mind

Prayer is not a simple recitation or a magical incantation; prayer is an intimate conversation with God. Not a monologue, but a conversation. Thus, while praying, an alert mind is necessary to hear God as you pray. And be reminded that God speaks in many different ways. Yes, He can speak in an audible voice, but He can also speak through thoughts, memories, and convictions. Perhaps He’ll speak through a loud earthquake, a raging fire, or a whispering wind. God speaks in different, personal ways to each person. However, regardless of how He speaks, an alert mind is required to discern the voice of God as you give Him time in prayer to respond to you.

2. A Thankful Heart

The saying goes “an attitude of gratitude rights a wrong perspective.” Our problem in prayer isn’t that God’s not speaking; the problem is that we’re not hearing. Just like a dial on a radio, a thankful heart tunes our ears to the frequency of God. It mutes the noise of the world, silences the distractions vying for our attention, and helps us to pray in such a way that positions us for God’s answer. A thankful heart refocuses our eyes on Him, reminds us that God’s intentions for us are always good, and removes the complaining, evil, and negativity hindering us from hearing God’s voice.

APPLICATION:

It’s not just what you pray that matters, but also how you pray that does. 

In Jeremiah 29:13 NIV, God promises you that “you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Prayer is not a drive-by; it’s a destination. It’s not just something you say before you eat to make you feel better; it’s intentionally choosing to stop in the middle of your chaotic schedule to sit and talk with God. God has promised to never leave us, nor forsake us. He has promised that we will find Him when we seek Him with all of our hearts. And God is a man of His word. So if we aren’t hearing God in our prayers, and the problem isn’t on God’s side; then whose side must it be on? 

If every outcome you experienced today was dependent on what you talked to God about yesterday, would you be a victor or a victim?

If all you had today were the things you thanked God for yesterday, would you be poor or rich? 

Today, pray. But don’t just treat it as a checklist item. Pray with an alert mind and a thankful heart. For “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16 NIV).

PRAYER:

Open your mind to be alert, and allow gratitude for God to overflow from your heart. Then pray in this way:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:9-13 ESV). 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

About the Author

Donovan Sabog

Pastor Donovan Sabog joined our staff in 2020 and was appointed as our Executive Pastor in 2025. He loves God, loves people, and is passionate about helping people discover their God-given potential, release their dreams, and become all God created them to be.

Donovan grew up at New Hope Oahu and has been a part of this church with his family since 2004. Starting from a young age, he served on our Worship, Youth Performing Arts Center, NHO Music, and Children’s Ark teams, and he led our Lighting Team through its transition from Farrington High School to our Ministry Center when he was a high school student at Punahou School. 

These experiences led him to Yale University, where he received B.A. degrees with distinction in Economics and History, and worked as Head Recruitment Coordinator and Senior Presenter for Yale Undergraduate Admissions. While at Yale, he performed in the Yale Spizzwinks and Yale Whiffenpoofs a cappella groups, traveling with these groups to 25 states and 35 countries across all six inhabited continents. Donovan also received his M.A. in Formational Leadership from Lancaster Bible College and Capital Seminary.

Prior to New Hope, Donovan was a management consultant in New York City and has held various internships in finance, investment, education, government, and strategic policy at various firms in Hawaii. 

When he's not at church, you’ll probably find him eating a plate lunch (Garlic Chicken or Tonkatsu…with white rice and mac salad, of course), on a plane headed to serve the global Church on mission, or loving on people God places in his path.

Donovan is grateful to serve God, serve you, and do church as a team here at NHO. And if there’s one thing Donovan hopes that you always remember, it’s that “YOU ARE LOVED!”

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” - Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

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