Too Busy to Pray?

My grandkids always bust me when I forget to pray before a meal, and I love that.

We don’t always pray as much as we ought to. In fact, we could pray a lot more. When a crisis hits, what is our first inclination? It’s to say, “God, take this problem away.”

Sometimes He does. But there are other times when He doesn’t. The reality is that problem, that difficulty, keeps us in touch with God. It keeps us dependent on God. And it keeps us praying without ceasing.

The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Rome, “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers” (Romans 1:9 NKJV).

Then 1 Thessalonians 5:17–18 tells us, “Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (NKJV).

Maybe you’re saying, “Pray without ceasing? How that is even possible? I have a life. I have to go to work. I have to do a lot of things. I can’t just pray all day.”

Why not? It doesn’t mean you have to be on your knees with your eyes closed. It is not just a prayer before a meal or praying with other believers. It’s simply living in prayer, living in communion with God.

When you’re cruising down the freeway or stuck in traffic, your vehicle could become a sanctuary. It could be a place to hear God’s Word, worship the Lord, and pray (just keep your eyes open).

You can be close to God wherever you go. Why? Because the dwelling place of God is with us. If you belong to Christ, you’re the temple (see 1 Corinthians 6:19). So you, too, can pray without ceasing.