In our busy lives, we often push prayer to the back burner. We have good intentions to pray, but unfortunately time gets the best of us.We lay in bed at night and remember we completely forgot to pray. Tired from a long day, we whisper a short prayer and fall asleep.
Why is this? Why do we struggle to pray throughout our day?
I am convinced our prayer lives don’t have to be this way. Even when we are busy, we can develop a lifestyle of prayer.
“But I have no time to pray.”
No time to pray is really just an excuse, one I have used myself. But thankfully that excuse doesn’t work for me anymore. I have time to pray and so do you. We just choose not to pray. We are all given the same amount of time each day: 24 hours or 1440 minutes or 86400 seconds in a day, however you want to look at it.
Let’s use our time wisely today and pray.
Father God, I thank You for the gift of another 24 hours of precious time.
Thank You for the comfort of knowing You are with me no matter what. You know me. You see me. You are with me when I am running to meetings or running errands, when I am down and out, or sick. You are with me when I forget to pray. My time is in Your hand.
Lord, search my heart today. See what needs to go. If I am avoiding prayer because of a sin, my pride or fear, or an excuse of not enough time, show me. Show me why I am avoiding You or avoiding prayer. How I can take a step closer to You today?
No more excuses, Lord. I want to pray. And I have the time.
Teach me to number my days that I may gain a heart of wisdom. When my life on earth is over, I want to recognize You. I want to know You intimately through prayer.
Lord, teach me how to pray. Often times I lose my train of thought. I get distracted. Help me focus and pray. More than just me talking and talking, teach me to listen.
Reveal Yourself to me as I work and play. Show up in the seconds, minutes and hours of each day. Jesus, I want to live a life of childlike wonder. Help me notice ladybugs, sunsets and raindrops like they were the first time again. Allow me to taste blueberries, peaches and raspberries and thank You. Train my ears to hear Your voice. Help me notice the sounds of birds singing and children laughing. I don’t want to miss one thing. And I definitely I don’t want to miss You.
I want to see You more and more. I want time to stand still as I focus on You.
Jesus, I worship You today. I am so tired of worshiping me.
Come, Holy Spirit, speak truth in love, even if it hurts. Don’t leave me as I am. I long to walk and talk with You throughout my day. In my car. In bed. In my messy kitchen. In the grocery store or the bank. Help me see You.
Please change my life through prayer. Do what only You can do. Give me Your heart for humanity, for justice, for mercy. Help me be wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove.
Teach me to love. And thank You for Your love.
I am sorry for the times I turn to other things to satisfy me. You know what those things are and how they vary by the day. Sugar. Books. Facebook.
Lord Jesus, satisfy me in the morning, in the afternoon and at night. Keep my heart tender and open to You moment by moment. I bow in worship to You today. You are Lord. I surrender. Take my life and make it Yours.
Amen.
(For more inspiration, I love the lyrics of this video, Live Like We’re Dying by Kris Allen)
A great read for me right now. Pray is essential for everything – even prayer for how we use our time.
Your posts are always biblical and practical. wb
Warren, your posts are always biblical and practical too. Thank you for praying in agreement with me.
I’m remembering a book written several years ago titled, “Too Busy Not to Pray.” … I’d do well to remember that.
Thank you for your wise words, Tiffany. You are a beautiful writer.
I’ve read that book. I think it’s by Bill Hybels if I remember right. And thanks for the encouragement, Jennifer. I’d love an update on your book writing journey.