Just Pray
“When you don’t feel like praying, pray,” “You’ve got to pray in the morning, pray in the evening, pray even in the midnight hour, pray,” “Never throw a hungry lion in the den with a praying man.” These are just some of the lyrics I’ve been singing lately. Do you notice a theme?
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16), “And he spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1), “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms” (James 5:13). Over and over again, we are told to pray.
You may feel like you don’t have time to pray but, if you are too busy to pray, you are too busy. Prayer is much more than making my petitions known. It’s about drawing near to God, taking time to build a strong relationship, letting Him know how much I love Him, and listening to Him remind me how much He loves me. It’s seeking His guidance when I don’t know what He wants me to do, learning to hear His voice, and growing in being a daughter that pleases Him in everything I do.
I confess I have days too which begin with a bang and I don’t feel like I have time to pray other than a few minutes here and there while I’m running. I will tell you, though, those are my worst days. God is merciful and will sometimes give me grace for a day or two but too many days without quality time with my Father produces a void, and I notice it.
Prayer and Bible reading should not be drudgery. They should be things we anticipate. I love time with Him when the phone isn’t ringing, no one is needing my attention, and I can talk to Him. I still need to learn to listen more as the greatest fellowship comes when, as He gives me His undivided attention, I give Him mine. All the cares of the world vanish at that moment and I feel like the most loved person on earth.
Lord, keep me from becoming too busy. Thank you for being available night and day to listen to whatever is on Your daughter’s heart. May I continually learn from You so that I can return the love You’ve given me in full. Thank You, Father!
Praying is like breathing to us,or at least it should be but unfortunately I fall far short.Thanks for this post and the encouragement you are.