This series of posts is looking at how we establish a rhythm of daily prayer. Periodically, I have prayed frequently and regularly but very rarely (actually never) have I established a rhythm of prayer. So tip 2 this week is be consistent.
I have a shower every morning. Never fail. I don’t even think about it. I never ask myself the question: shall I have a shower this morning. It is part of my morning ritual. Glass of water (or two – another change I am making to my life at the moment), perhaps a coffee before I shower, probably some making of breakfast for the kids, and then pop into the shower. Even on Saturday, the ritual might be elongated a bit (it is not unknown for us to still be hanging around in our pyjamas until late morning!), but I still always have a shower.
We can find a similar rhythm to prayer, but to do so, it is helpful to find a regular time and place to pray. Fitting it in to our day whenever it seems to suit best, which is probably what I have done for large parts of Christian life, inevitably means that prayer will be more spasmodic. And when life gets busy, or prayer gets hard, we don’t do it. Remember tip 1 – start small. It doesn’t need to be long. First thing. On the bus. Coffee break. Kid’s nap. Lunchtime. When you get back from work / college. Just before you go to bed. Whatever works for you.
What I have realised, that for me, unless I open my Bible, before I open my computer, my Bible will remain unopened all day. So I find prayer first thing of the day an important rhythm for prayer (after the shower that is!). I plan my day around that. But that is me. With my family demands, and working pattern. It might be different for you. So experiment, find a good time and good place that works for you. And do it!
Tags: prayer
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