Many people are so consumed with their daily lives that they often forget to slow down, much less pray. Why are so many of us in such a hurry? What’s the rush?
It always amazes me that people only see clearly when death is near or in hindsight. Why is that? Why does it take a near death experience for us to see what is important and what our priorities should have been?
This reminds me of a poem I once read by Alan Grant, called The Difference. It reminded me of what’s important. It reminded me to pray and to start each day by spending time with God.
Praying does not change my daily schedule. I still have the same things to do. But prayer does change my attitude and the way I react to things. God provides me strength to carry me through my day. He opens my eyes to the beauty that surrounds me and I have peace in knowing that, no matter what happens, God is always with me.
The Bible tells us to pray and to “pray without ceasing….” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) So, make time to pray every day no matter what. This small change will make a big difference.
“Here is what we can be sure of when we come to God in prayer. If we ask anything in keeping with what he wants, he hears us. If we know that God hears what we ask for, we know that we have it.” (1 John 5:14-15)
The Difference
I got up early one morning
and rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish
That I didn’t have time to pray.
Problems just tumbled about me,
and heavier came each task,
“Why doesn’t God help me?” I wondered.
He answered, “You didn’t ask.”
I wanted to see joy and beauty,
But the day toiled on, gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn’t show me.
He said, “But you did not seek.”
I tried to come into God’s presence;
I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided,
“My child, you didn’t knock.”
I woke up early this morning,
And paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish
that I had to take time to pray.
– Alan Grant
Grace C. Osborne 