I've had people get honest with me over the years and tell me, "I just don't have time to pray." and I have to admit that I was one of those people in the past. The type of person that is just so busy with really "important" things that I didn't seem to have time to take time to pray. I sacrificed the most important for the less important — the most needful for the less needful. Since then, I have learned that if I am too busy to take time to pray, I am just too busy! I have learned that the amount of effort I have to put into things without humbly asking God for help cannot make up for the time it takes to pray about everything. Plus, walking through the day feeling disconnected from God is not a pleasant, peaceful, easy feeling!
God's word tells us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). That means throughout the day and regarding all things. We are also taught by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God". That tells me to come into the presence of God with confidence and with a thankful heart, knowing God will do what is needed if I ask Him. Jesus said, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will." (Mark 11:24).
The Word of God is full of scriptures like the ones we just read admonishing us to pray. Yet, many Christians seem to function with very little prayer or just throwing up a prayer or two as they go through each day. I pray throughout the day to stay in constant communication with my Heavenly Father. Still, I also know the necessity of taking a special, spiritual "closet" time for prayer each day — the importance of taking time where it is just me alone with God in my prayer closet.
I want to share two extraordinary things that happen during those times. First, it helps me to shut out all the other voices, including the digital voices coming at us through our cell phones, TVs, the internet, and it is just me and God alone together. He listens to me as I ask for His help with my character and commitments, help to walk in holiness, obey His commands, and overcome evil. Secondly, it is a time of me asking God for help with the practical needs of life and the ministry He has called me to do. It's a time to say, "God, I will do what you ask, but this is what I need to accomplish your calling." I ask in childlike faith and humility, knowing that "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble" 1 Peter 5:5.
Please don't be like those who come into His presence demanding He does what He promised. I never demand anything from God; I ask humbly. If you don't want God to listen to your prayers, start demanding He does what you want! Instead, come as a child, in childlike faith, asking God your Father for the help you need, and always praying in the heart and character of Jesus, who said: "Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." Matthew 21:22.
In closing, please don't be one of those people that don't have time to pray! If we don't have time to humble ourselves and pray, we'll have to make lots of time to deal with the loss of not having God's help. The help that He lovingly waits to give if we would only take time to ask in humility, honesty, and childlike faith.
A good step of faith to take today is to step into your prayer closet and begin communicating with your maker. He loves you and is waiting to listen and to give guidance and help you not only need but genuinely desire!
God bless you today and always, Brian Mark Weller