Devotion is more than either public or private prayer, it is a life given over to God. The person who contemplates and serves God in everything and in a way that is in accord with God's rule and glory, is the person who is truly devoted to God. God is the measure of our prayers, we pray only for that which is in accord with his will and glory. So why should we not also make God's will and glory the measure for all the other actions of our lives? Surely, any manner of life, use of our time, talents or our money, that's not directly in accord with the will of God and for his glory, is, as great an absurdity and failure as as praying that is contrary to the will of God. The very reason why our prayers should be according to his will, is that our lives may be according to his will. It is lack of consistency here is the reason for much confusion seen in many people's lives. They set very strict regimes for themselves, in regards to times of prayer, attendance at church, but afterwards, they are like people who never pray and never attend church. In the way they use their time, money, talents, their pleasures and indulgences, they are just like the rest of the world. This gives occasion to the rest of the world to make a mockery of the gospel. Why, because they see that these people's devotion goes no further than their prayers and church attendance. It is a great absurdity to suppose holy prayers without a holiness of life suitable to those prayers.