Too busy. Too tired. Too content. These are all excuses we could use to avoid spending time in prayer. When life’s full-on and we’re rushing around trying to do everything on our to-do lists, we forget to take the time out to pray or we think ‘I’ll pray tomorrow when I’m less busy’. Or maybe things in our lives are going so well that we feel we don’t need to pray, or we’re so busy enjoying how our lives are going that prayer doesn’t even cross our minds. But prayer should be our priority. When we spend time in prayer, we receive the things we need. We’re refreshed, inspired and emboldened in God’s presence, listening to what He’s got to say to us. In Acts 6 we see the disciples facing an issue. They’re getting caught up in disputes over the distribution of food which is distracting them from praying and spreading the news of Jesus. They said to the people: ‘Choose seven of your own men who are good, full of the Spirit and full of wisdom. We will put them in charge of this work. Then we can continue to pray and to teach the word of God’ (v.3-4 NIV). It’s unlikely we’re going to be able to delegate everything we have to do in order for us to be focused on prayer. But we can learn to say ‘no’ to certain things and we can be disciplined in ensuring that we have the time to pray each day. It might mean we have to get up earlier or spend a bit less time on social media. When we recognise and experience how powerful and necessary prayer is, we’re even more willing to make those sacrifices in order to spend time with God. Sacrifice some of your time today to spend with God. Find a quiet spot and let Him speak to you.
