Jesus didn’t come only to sacrifice himself but to show us how to live a life that gradually leads to holiness, which includes prayer.
I want to share with you an excerpt from Paul Miller’s book, A Praying Life, that shows what Psalm 23 without the Lord or the Shepherd reads like:
my; I shall not be in want.
me; my soul.
me; I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear evil, me; me. Me in the presence of my enemies.
my head;
my cup; me all the days of my life, I.
Without the Lord, our prayers and lives are insignificant vapours.
“Lowborn men are but a breath,
The highborn but a lie;
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
Together they are only a breath.”
Psalm 62:9 NIV
Short, insignificant
This shows the importance of starting our prayer time with some form of the ACTS method: Adoration, Confession and Thanksgiving.
But when should we pray?
Throughout his letters, the apostle Paul used words like; without ceasing, repeatedly, at all times, when speaking about prayer. But we look to Jesus as our #1 example. Over and over, we read in Scripture that Jesus got up early and went off by himself to pray to his Father.
Most mornings, I spend an hour of quiet time with the Lord. I listen to a worshipful song, pray, work on memorizing verses and do some kind of Bible study or devotion. This didn’t happen overnight; it’s taken a long time to develop this habit, make others aware of it, and enforce it. I also don’t do it every morning. Sundays, I consider going to church my prayer, study time. And there are days when it isn’t feasible, due to circumstances beyond my control. But I have found that the days I don’t practice this, my life doesn’t go as well.
I know, especially as young Moms, it’s tricky to find a big chunk of time to be quiet with the Lord. I remember our pastor’s wife telling me how she would lock herself in the bathroom 15 minutes before her kids got up to get that time. Because even 15 minutes of dedicated one-on-one with Jesus can positively impact your day. When my boys were little, I was fortunate to have a husband who was willing and able to make breakfast for them, allowing me to walk and pray. Who can you enlist to help you carve out some prayer time?
When my boys got older, I would lie on my bed for 15 minutes before they came home from school. I closed the curtains, turned off the light, and prayed for strength and calmness to face the inevitable chaos once they walked through our door. Maybe it means putting your phone in a drawer somewhere to cut down distractions or finding a quiet spot, while your children watch a show or play quietly.
Adding a job calls for more intentional planning. It might mean setting your alarm to wake up 15 minutes earlier and spend that time talking to the Lord, even if you just lie in bed while you do it. Ask Him what He wants you to do WITH Him that day. I know people who take part of their lunch hour to get quiet before the Lord, pray and read their Bible. Or perhaps you can carve out some time after the kids go to bed.
I‘m also working on developing the habit of talking to the Lord every night before I fall asleep. I ask God how HE thinks I did that day, and what HE thinks of me. Sometimes I journal what I hear Him say, what’s on my heart, or how my day has been. I’ve started reading through the bible during this time, slowly, one chapter at a time. It’s good to have His voice be the last one I hear before I close my eyes. I have also discovered the Pause app by John Eldredge. You choose the length, listen to soothing music and are led to focus on Jesus. I highly recommend it!
However, prayer isn’t always answered the way we want. The answer could be a quick yes—the person is healed, the job comes through, or the Lord may say wait, and sometimes it’s no.
When my son Matthew was 10, he developed an autoimmune disease that could have killed him at any moment. We tried every medical intervention, prayed fervently for him, with tears, and eventually had to give him over to God and trust in His goodness and will. Today, he is married with two beautiful daughters.
Last November, my other son and his wife were expecting a baby girl. During the delivery, complications arose, and an emergency C-section had to be performed. We all prayed fervently, with tears, for mother and child, but God’s answer was no. Baby Adelynn went to be with her perfect Father. Why did God save my son, but not my granddaughter? I don’t know. But I know He is a good Father, if he said no, it was for a good reason.
Here’s a tip when we struggle with the Lord’s no or unanswered prayer. We are not God. He maintains the earth, the planets, galaxies and every living creature. I can’t even guarantee I’ll perfectly cook a roast every time! What makes me think I know what is best for my family, or the world?
The LORD is trustworthy and true. He only has our best interests at heart and promises to be with us through every circumstance until the moment we go home and rest eternally in His presence.
Dear hearts, instead of worrying about your life, go and spend time with your Abba. Pour out all your heartaches, concerns, struggles and needs. Remember to thank Him for all he has already done for you. When you do, God’s peace, which is beyond our understanding, will flow over you and through you. It will guard your heart and mind as you continue to live in Christ Jesus. (Paraphrase of Philippians 4:6-7)
Be well!
Patricia