STOP THE WORLD; I WANT TO GET OFF

OR GOD SENT ME TO THE DESERT SO I COULD HEAR HIM

Quiet time. There are even seminars on quiet time or spending time with God. I've been to one at BSF. But sometimes I still leave Jesus at the breakfast table.

A prayer warrior, I'm not. Oh, I pray a lot. Comparatively speaking, but I don't want to blend in. We're supposed to stand out. And I don't in my prayer life. In fact, there are a lot of days that my first prayer of the day is uttered at lunch. That's a waste of the whole morning. A waste of communing with Our Lord. Communing with us is exactly what He wants. And I waste an opportunity to have audience with the omnipotent, omniscient Creator of the universe. Can you imagine? I mean think of the most famous person in the world. What if you had 24/7 access to him/her? And didn't use it?

Well, God is far greater than any person you can name. And He's available to us.

How do we pray? Jesus gave us the example when He cited The Lord's Prayer. When that prayer becomes rote when we're offering up to God the words without the heart, then it becomes an exercise, a duty, rather than communicating in a personal way. But we can still follow the principles of The Lord's Prayer. Begin with praise to the Father, specifically give Him the props He so richly deserves, then petition Him asking Him for specific acts that He can address, then confess to Him your shortcomings and your plan of repentance, close with humble thanksgiving for answered prayers and more praise to the Father.

Breath prayers are little prayers (some say there are no little prayers) that are said almost under our breath. In literature it was called an aside. "Thank you Lord for the beauty I see in the clouds this afternoon." Or "I'm so thankful for the family you've given me." Offer these up often and keep the lines open. I've even heard some who don't say Amen at the end of a prayer because they know they'll be praying again shortly. They desire to keep the lines of communication open.

Whatever your method, whatever your preference, whatever your need, turn it over to the Lord in the manner of prayer. You'll feel better, and you'll please God.