When I first became a Christian, I often felt discouraged seeing snapshots of other people’s “quiet times” with open Bibles and warm cups of coffee. Over the years I've learned that we need to remind ourselves that that’s not the reality for everyone. We all live and work different schedules which means our time with God looks differently, especially in different seasons of life.
When my babies were in the NICU, my time with God was different than it is now with a six-year-old, a five-year-old, and a three year old. It is ever changing because life gets in the way and has different demands. However, it is and should always be a priority.
We should make time to study God’s Word to help sharpen our discernment, but we should also take 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which reads “Pray constantly,” literally. As beautiful as “quiet time” snapshots are, God doesn’t just want a dedicated 10 minutes (or slightly more) of our day. He wants us talking with Him throughout our days. He’s not more impressed or listening better if we play Christian music in the background while we sit in the middle of the floor and pray on our knees. Although that sounds perfect and dreamy, He isn’t after a picture-worthy prayer time. Rather He wants authentic connection with His people. He’s happy to hear from us while we’re driving in the car or riding up/down an elevator to see someone in the hospital. He wants our prayers as we’re pulling away from our kids' school or practice or when we get a phone call with really great news or bad news. He wants our prayers as we lay in bed at night and worry or replay every conversation from the day and He wants our prayer before our feet touch the floor in the morning. He wants our fears, our worries, our mistakes, our love, our anger, our happiness, our relief, our time, our children, our marriages, our hurts and pains, our anxiety, depression, and mental overload. He wants us, and He wants all of us, not just the good parts. He wants to hear from us and He wants to do life alongside each of us. We only need to invite Him in.
But so often we feel like we need to be “clean” to approach Him or maybe that we shouldn’t bother Him with these little feelings or problems we’re having because so many other people “have it worse.” But that’s not the Truth. God doesn’t want a beautiful picture or just the big problems, He wants our everything.
One thing that Jesus said about prayer that has stuck with me was that “Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by the people. I assure you: They’ve got their reward! But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you… your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:5-8). God knows. We may not always be given an immediate yes. In fact, sometimes we’re given a no, but He’s got a plan as He declared in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you… plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Friends, if you doubt this promise for your life, lean in a little closer to Him. Speak to Him as you would a close friend, family member, or maybe even a counselor. Scripture assures us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He doesn’t waver in fear, disgust, or anger at our sinful nature. Instead, He embraces it, offering His act of obedience that was paid once and for all for each of us on the cross. Let’s focus this week on connecting with God, talking to Him about our wrongdoings and feelings that feel too big to share with anyone else. And, let’s practice “Being strong and courageous; not being terrified or afraid. For it is the Lord our God who goes with us; He will not leave us or forsake us” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Have a great week, friends!
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