I Don’t Have Time to Pray: A 31 Day Challenge

How many times have we said, “I don’t have time to pray.”  There is too much going on.  I have little ones around me 24/7.  I’m on the go and by the time the day is over, I didn’t get my time alone with God in and I fell asleep.

I think we all have been there.  When my kids were little we lived in a 2 bedroom apartment that was about 1000 sq. ft.  Talk about cramped.  I was exhausted.  The kids would wake me up and I’d stay up late with my husband.  I was never alone, didn’t feel that I could pray.  It turned into a vicious cycle, the longer I went without prayer, the more tired I became.

So I decided enough is enough and I started to pray as I went about my day.  I prayed as I did the dishes, swept the floor, and I prayed silently as I homeschooled my children.  And before long, I became more energized.  I did devotions with the kids for my Bible reading.  It wasn’t the most in depth Bible reading, but it was the Bible and at that point in my life, it was the best I could do and I believe that it was ok with God.

I also prayed over the kids every night when I put them to bed.  This is what I prayed with them,

“Lord, keep us safe from sickness, illness, accident and harm.  Keep our hearts and minds pure and safe for you.  And Lord I ask you to do the same for their future spouse.”

That three sentence prayer covers a lot.  And you know what, my kids were hardly sick and we’ve only been to the emergency room a couple of times.  We’re still praying for those spouses and I believe they will be exactly who my kids need.

Suzanna Wesley, the mother of John and Charles, had 19 children.  Talk about never having a moment alone!  She would put her apron over her head and pray.  She trained her children to leave her alone when her apron was over her head.  And her sons became the leaders of the Methodist church.  Talk about creative.

So I encourage you to think out of the box and pray for your children!

Today’s scripture is

Pray without ceasing.  1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)