WHERE DO YOU GO TO PRAY?

Most in their homes or in their churches. Some in homes of friends at Small Group or Community Group meetings. Some on retreats.

Some like Jesus seek solitude and peace and alone time in an area where they find seclusion. One place that most of us have alone time is in our automobiles. It's about a 20 minute drive to church for me, and a little less for my BSF Monday night. With once a month Thursday night elder board meetings and almost-weekly Bible study on Tuesday morning with our pastor, I have plenty of opportunities to have audience with God. And I take advantage.

Not that my retired life is all that hectic, but I don't generally find myself searching for something to do. I certainly don't want to eliminate prayer time, so I'm thankful for the driving time. When I'm finished praying, and about half the time I have arrived at my destination uttering an Amen in the parking lot, I turn to Christian radio. What a good use of driving time.

I used to pray on my morning walks. I was somewhat not pleased when my wife wanted to join me. Only because it cut into my prayer time. Now she's the walker and she uses that time to become closer to God. When I get back into it, I'll be the intruder.

I know people who pray first thing in the morning. I know many people who bless each meal. I know Christians who pray just before the sleep. I even know a Christian from Idaho who prays when he wakes up in the middle of the night.

And I've never known anyone who though he/she prayed too much. There was a Dickens' character that threw a boot at his wife as she prayed because he thought "she was praying agin' me". I've heard it said that as long as teachers give pop quizzes, they can never take prayer out of the schools. They still open each session of Congress with prayer. So prayer isn't going away. After you pray for people, tell them. I don't think you'll find any that will ask you not to pray for them.

We may not have a Getsemane to go to for prayer (and I've been fortunate to be able to pray there as well) but we all have access and time. And what's best--we have a reason.