Ever feel like you don't quite pray enough?

"It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart." - Ghandi

“I am the vine and you are the branches” - Jesus

I want to share something God's been teaching me about prayer. It's a thought that has filled me with peace, joy and contentment, during a month of lots of things happening around me, numbers uncertainties, and days when I haven't had much set apart “prayer time” or time focused on reading the bible.

I'd be lying if I said I haven't spent any time on spiritual disciplines. But even on the days when I haven't, I've become extremely happy whenever I've thought about the idea of “prayer” - as opposed to experiencing guilt because I haven't “prayed enough”. (Anyone know that feeling?)

I had a conversation with a friend a few weeks ago that reminded me of this: Paul says “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:20) ... At it's core however, prayer is basically communion with God. It's being connected. It's being one with Him.

This is what's made me happy over the last few weeks: As I've gone throughout the day, & thought about the idea of "prayer", I've simply tuned in and "drawn close" to God (James 4:8). In my thoughts, in my attitude, in my affections. I've been aware that he's always near to me. We shouldn't base our faith on feelings, but there have been times where I've felt "warm and fuzzies" all over me, just while going about my day, & "drawing near" to Him.

Of course, I'm not saying you should stop spending time alone with God, talking with Him (Mark 1:35, Luke 4:42 etc). You should feel encouraged to follow throwithon your whatever convictions you have about such matters (as I am attempting to live out and follow through on mine.)

What I am saying is that you can be connected with God, while doing things like:

-the dishes

-talking with your friends

-your work

-driving

-eating junk food

-playing games on your smart phone

-writing poetry

-writing music

-planning your next creative venture.

At first, when I felt that God wanted me to write about prayer this month, I began (figuratively) to buckle at the knee. But as I reflected, and pondered on prayer being communion with God, it's brought to me an amazing sense of freedom and joy to my daily routine. My guilty feelings have almost been eradicated, and regardless of whether I've had set “prayer time” or not, I've been extremely happy. The connection that I've had with God while doing many of the above things has just made me feel good on the inside.

Read Romans 8:1.

God really is near to you, and wants to commune with you. Because of what HE'S done, He can do so any time. It's by His grace.

I wish you a great month of prayer.

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you about prayer?