This question in the title of this blog post is the million dollar question for many of us, isn’t it? You want to pray, but . . . . Moreover, you don’t want to just say a little prayer. You want to spend quality free time praying, but . . . .
You even remember these verses: “Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15–16 NRSV).” But, where is the time? What’s happened to it?
The “but’s” are real. You’re not making them up. You are genuinely busy. You have lots of responsibilities and you take them seriously. When you commit, you go all in. Plus, you really are needed by others. You wonder, therefore: “Where is the free time? How do I make time? What, if anything, can I do about those ‘but’s?'”
Finding Quality Free Time #1
The first thing you need to do is figure out where your time is going. Use a daily diary to record each moment of your waking time. Once you’ve done that over a period of days or weeks you will be able to see exactly what is happening with and to your time. If you have a schedule that basically stays the same from weekday to weekday, from weekend to weekend, it will be easier to figure out the best place to find quality free time to pray. If your schedule is unpredictable, this will be more challenging, but there will still be patterns that emerge. Examine those patterns to see what you can shift around to find quality free time. Will this be a particular time of day such as early morning or late night, or will it be when certain conditions are in place?
Finding Quality Free Time #2
Determine what quality looks like. Recognize that it is not only the length of time that you spend in prayer that is important. It is also the attitude that you bring to and what you do during your prayer time. You can set aside one hour of prayer without doing much praying in that time. Thus, be sure that you are alert, focused on God, and attentive to God’s voice during that time. Adopt the posture of the worshiper and suppliant. You’re going to give God God’s due without conditions and/or restraint. You’re also going to receive from God; not merely material things. You’re going to be refreshed and to hear from God what God would have you do. Go in humility, with deep appreciation for God and God’s loving faithfulness.
Finding Quality Free Time #3
Put some boundaries around your time. You may need to put out a metaphorical notice that says, “do not disturb.” Thus, everyone around you knows that this is your special quality free time with God and they are not to disturb you. You may need to write/type it in your calender/planner/diary. Or, it may be that you set the boundary of position and place. What does that mean? You adopt a regular position and place that signals to your inner self that this is prayer time. Thus, you tune in more readily. This is especially important when you have limited time.
Finding quality free time for prayer can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be impossible. And remember, at SurrenderInPrayer, we are here for you on your journey.
What else do you do to find quality free time to pray?
Get closer to God and gain a deeper understanding of who God is.
Picture courtesy of DGlodowska /Pixabay.Com
