When Do You Pray?

Prayer is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, the communication factor with God that opens us to grace, hope and the very love of God that transforms our lives.

So, when do you pray? Think about that for a moment. Think about when you pray before you start reciting the endless list in your head about why you don't have the time to pray that you think you should, would or could, if only. Take a deep breath, and ponder this for a moment.

Did you pray at church this week? Did you say grace with your meals today, spoken or unspoken? Did you make a green light, thereby getting to work in plenty of time, and say, “Thank you, God”? Did you admire the clouds in the sky while running an errand before you picked your kids up from school? Prayer happens throughout your day, in ways that are obvious, and many that are not so apparent.

A prayer for God's help and guidance nudged between two thoughts about when to pay bills and still produce what is required at work, or a bit of extra patience listening to a friend, can both be strong prayers in simple, profound ways.

Our hopes and dreams are also prayers. Albeit not always spoken, our thoughts convey our desires to God and are as viable as the prayers in which we share at each Sunday worship service. Hebrews 11:1 states: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” In our hopes, we communicate our faith in God, to God.

Prayer communicates to God all that we want to share with God. Praise, adoration, gratitude, hope, fear, trust, petitions, anything we want to share with God, and particularly those things we may not be able to share with anyone else are there for the giving. God listens, and God hears.

Take a moment, a pen and a piece of paper, and jot down when you prayed today, and what you prayed about and for. No judgments, just a consideration of your communication with God today.