Take Time To Pray

December is always such a busy month.  So many things going on with the hustle and bustle of the holidays. And this is on top  of whatever normal routine we may have, i.e. work, church, the children's extracurricular activities, caring for a loved one, school, etc.  How do we make time to fit everything in?  Jesus was one person who knew what it was like to have a full schedule.  He had people all around him making demands, requesting His undivided attention. I can imagine there were times He would go on like that for weeks, even months at a time.  But one thing we find in the scripture is that no matter what was going on, He always made time to prayer.  He would go off to himself and spend time in communion with His Father.  It was there that He received the strength to continue on to complete the task He was assigned.  Now if Jesus himself saw the importance in praying, why do we have such a hard time maintaining a consistent prayer life?

The world has distorted our minds into thinking that we must always be in a hurry. We are so much in a hurry that we forget to live.  When we forget to live, we often times miss out on God's plan for our lives.  We are so busy with this schedule and that deadline and that goal.  The result is that we become stressed out and tired.  Then we go to God in an effort to relieve our stress.  I wonder what would happen if we would have taken the time to commune regularly with God during all the hustle and bustle of this thing we call life.  Just look at Jesus...

Luke 6:12...He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

 Mark 1:35...a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

Luke 5:16...So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

What better way to show us the importance of prayer than to lead by example.  After all, there are so many benefits to prayer.  Prayer deepens your relationship with God.  I don't know any relationship that grows without communication. That's all prayer is--communication with God.  Prayer helps us to look at our situation honestly and recognize our dependence on God.  There is nothing like sitting down and having a little talk with Jesus to make everything alright.  Our most earnest effort can turn out to be nothing but wasted time and energy if God is not involved and we do not consult Him before and during the process.  John 15:4-5--- 'Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing'.   We consult Him before for direction and guidance.  We consult Him during to make sure we stay on the right track and to listen for specific instructions.   We consult Him afterwards to thank Him for the results.  Praying helps us to see that we are not in control of anything. It helps us to move in the same direction as God.  It helps us to discern His will.  Let it be known that there is not a situation that you are going through that is too hard for God.  He is just waiting for you to come and talk to Him about it. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I come to you today asking you for your help. I want a better prayer life.   I want to be more obedient.  Help me to love better and to discern what is good and perfect in Your sight.  Help me to love better so that I may do your will.  Please forgive me of my many sins.  Thank you for your love , your grace and your mercy.  In Jesus' Name I pray Amen.