Great Discipline

Prayer doesn’t come easy to me.

There, I said it. I admit I am challenged to spend focused time in prayer. And yet, I know that prayer is a central discipline in the lives of all the great spiritual leaders. It is how people have the strength and courage to endure trials. Through prayer, God gives us peace, direction in decisions and lets us know his love for us. I want all those things and know that prayer is the medium to get them, and yet I struggle.

I do pray, don’t get me wrong. I realize though that more focus in my prayer time and more of it will help me grow closer to God. It’s just like focused, quality time draws spouses or friends closer. It’s in that quality time that God changes, softens our hearts. Jesus didn’t do anything that God didn’t instruct him to do. We should follow that example.

I have read repeatedly “Too Busy Not to Pray” by Bill Hybels. He makes the case for why we should pray, sharing examples of how God has answered prayers and how he personally grew in the discipline of prayer. He gives tips on how to pray. Great content. Every time I read it, my prayer life is inspired again. I think it’s time to read it again.

So, for starters, I will pray that God will help me set aside my busyness and my pride that says I don’t need God’s help with the details of my life. I will make an appointment with God in my schedule and stick to it just like I do my business meetings. He blesses our efforts. I see that now that I’ve begun writing regularly. (See Do Something!) So in this too, I need to just do something and he will meet me there.

If you’re where I am when it comes to prayer, I suggest checking out Hybels book. And these quotes may be inspiring as well.

John 8:28: So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I Am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me.