A time for Prayer

 

by Diane Faisson McKenzie

Time is so important, yet, we treat it as though it is something we take for granted, and something we will always have. We take time to shop, cook meals, look at our favorite TV show, or just talk on the phone, but have you made the effort to carve a small slice of time each day to talk to God? Praying in daily life is as important as breathing.

I have made a conscious effort to wake up, and before anything else start praying. I am an “early riser”, so most of the time, I am up by 6 a.m. So “my” time may not be your time for prayer. Nevertheless, setting aside time each day for your personal “prayer time” is essential. This suggested prayer time should preferably be somewhere in your space (home, patio, walk-in closet, etc.) that is void of noise, has low light, and has no digital devices. I have a small sofa in my breakfast room, with a small side table, where my inspirational spiritual readings, including the bible, are resting, so I can choose which reading material I would like to read on that particular day.

You may want to refresh yourself with God by praying the moment you rise up from your lying position in bed to a sitting position on the side of the bed, just close your eyes for a moment, and offer a prayer of thanks to God for allowing you to wake up. Now, that’s not hard, is it? We usually use prayer as a last resort, but we should use it as our first line of defense. Starting this prayerful habit in your life is a habit that is a good one that you should not want to break.

We are in a crisis of epic proportions that has changed how we live our daily lives. This crisis is the dreaded coronavirus disease. We are forced to be isolated together with our families or alone in our homes. We have been given an” unexpected time”. This is the perfect time to create a new “good” habit, carving that little slice of time for your personal quiet prayer time. This is a time, in your prayer time to pray for hope in our current situation of illness, despair, and death. In Hebrews 6:19 it says that hope is the anchor of the soul. Hope is the force that keeps you steady in time of trial.

I refer to my daily prayer time as my daily “spiritual shower”, just like we daily take a shower to cleanse our bodies, why not take the time to shower yourself with a prayer to cleanse your day? I feel that it is also very important that in your prayer time, you practice silence. Being silent is one way to be receptive to the Holy Spirit, God.

Prayer can be therapeutic. In your prayer time, it can become a time to breathe in the spirit of God, helping you fight fear, and depression, see a light of hope and help you know God is ever present in your life. In your silence, listen, and allow your mind to be open to hearing what he has to say.