Have you ever found yourself in a place where you feel you are too busy to get all of things on your “to do lists” for work, for home, for family done…let alone what you know you should be doing to strengthen and deepen your relationship with God? Have you ever felt like your relationship with God is coming in second or third place in your life?
This morning I got up and was getting ready for my first (of four) zoom meetings scheduled for today and I was running through the lists of things in my mind that I needed to get done for the day and I realized, I forgot to pray this morning. What? I NEVER do that! My morning routine includes prayer and devotions, coffee and reflection, and then I can get my day going. This morning I was so distracted and feeling so overwhelmed that I left out the most important thing-prayer.
When I realized this, I stopped and said a quick prayer, thanking God for giving me this day to do good things in His name, and asking God to watch over me and to forgive me for being so distracted that I did not put Him first. I lifted up a few friends that need healing and thanked Him for the many blessings He has sent my way. As the morning and meetings continued, I found the more that I talked to God, the less distracted and overwhelmed I felt about everything else. Thank you, God! He hears our prayers. He is always listening. Jeremiah 29:12, Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. He even inspired me to write this quick post before my next meeting! God is so good!
As Christians, prayer is important because it is how we communicate with God. What could be more important than that? Prayer doesn’t have to be long, or pretty, or complicated, or difficult. Prayer just needs to come from our hearts to God. We can pray anywhere and at any time. Prayer is our opportunity to spend time with God, how can you get to know someone if you do not spend time with them? Prayer helps us to develop our relationship with God, it lets Him know our hearts. And, when we are still and listen, and open up our minds and hearts to Him, we will hear Him. The deeper the relationship becomes, the more time we want to spend with Him.
I keep a prayer journal where I write the names of people and why I am praying for them. This is part of my night time routine and I will not get distracted and overlook it tonight (I hope!) I like to go back and read entries and thank God for all of the answered prayers. Some names in my prayer journal have been there for many years and I will keep praying for them until that prayer is answered (even if it is not answered in the way that I would like.) Some of my favorite entries are where I have experienced the power of prayer as a group praying with others. I have watched as prayer has brought defeat to Satan and his power over a loved one. I have watched as prayer has changed someone from being self centered into a completely selfless person wanting to serve others, all because of prayer. I have watched God heal and bring restoration to those we are praying for. I have literally watched as a life has been saved by God, as we were praying. I have seen God perform miracles.
May we never forget the power and purpose of prayer. Amen. Jaci
P.S. Many years ago, my sister (the amazing Jodi Corcoran) shared a book with me that she had been reading with her Bible Study group. The title of the book is Too Busy Not To Pray, written by Bill Hybels. She shared it, and I read it at a time when I had three little boys at home and a husband who was coaching two sports and life was busy- but a different kind of busy. I am committed to reading this again (sorry, Jodi, I guess I liked it so much that I didn’t ever return it to you.) I know that it will have new meaning and a new message for me in this stage of my life. I will let you know what I discover. Stay tuned…