Are you too DISTRACTED?
Courtesy of narnianfan.blogspot.com
This past Sunday at church, my husband and I heard a message about growing in our faith.
I know. It sounds like every sermon ever, right?
However, how often do we really stop and think about how to grow spiritually?
In our class, we discussed in groups what was the main thing that kept us from growing by reading our Bible in quiet time, or praying and conversing with our Lord.
For me: d.i.s.t.r.a.c.t.i.o.n. is the name of the Enemy's game.
I know that in this age I am so constantly being bombarded with media and stimuli: smartphone, television, radio, billboards, something shiny around every corner grabbing my attention! Ah!
The Devil knows what will distract us and keep our attention away from our Lord.
He tries to be sneaky like that.
For real. He does. God tells us this:
1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Yikes.
I find that if I don't carve out time in my day and set it aside for some prayer and Bible time, it will never get done.
And time with our Lord is too important to skip.
After all, He's the Supreme Lord of our universe. We owe him some time. And he has things to tell us.
Would you feel like you were growing in your relationship with, say, your best friend if you rarely spoke with that person?
We need to be in touch with God.
Here are some helpful hints that can help YOU plan some much needed prayer time with our Lord during your day:
ONE: Place a sticky note with prayer needs on your car's dashboard. Refrain from turning on the radio and pray over those needs during your drive.
TWO: Put a note with prayer needs on your kitchen table and pray throughout a quiet meal.
THREE: On your commute drive to work, designate "prayer landmarks". I have a friend who prays for one friend when they pass the Target, another when they pass the school on the corner, and yet another when they pass the bookstore that their relative loves. This gives you much better things to focus on than frivolous morning talk radio!
FOUR: If you are in a relationship, designate regular time for you and your bf/gf or hubby/wife to read a passage of scripture and pray together. My husband and I try to do a chapter each night after dinner. It is a marvelous thing that will bring you much closer as a couple and to our Creator!
FIVE: Swap prayer requests with a friend. Write down their requests on one of those sticky notes in your car or on your table and be diligent in praying for that person. Follow-up with them and see how the request is answered.
Remember: Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. -1 Thess. 5:17
How do you make time for Jesus? Do you find yourself easily distracted by today's world? Do you have any advice to share? Please do!
For a great read on the subject of prayer, check out Too Busy Not to Pray by Pastor Bill Hybels. I read it when life was crazy in college and it gave me great new perspectives on everything prayer-related. So great! Check out the first few pages here!
[Authored by Julie Gernand]
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