Busy, busy…

“The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10 N.L.T)

We need to pray about everything, but we do not have to do it all at one go. We can integrate our prayer life into all our daily activities. Incorporating a suitable bible verse or hymn can be truly edifying.

Upon waking up we can thank the Lord for the gift of another day (This is the day that the Lord has made, we will be glad and rejoice in it. Psalm 118:24).

When having a shower we can think about the showers of blessings we have been given (There will be showers of blessings, this is the promise of love …) and those we are awaiting. We can think of how the blood of Jesus washes white as snow (O the blood of Jesus, it washes white as snow…). We can contemplate on how the water Jesus gives ensures that we will never be thirsty again, and how we will be evergreen like a tree planted by the waterside.

While driving, commuting, or walking to work we can pray that God steer the direction of our lives. (Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:133) We can also look around at the beauty of nature and thank God for the gift, and look at the situations around us and pray about them.

When climbing stairs we can count our blessings one by one, or in a lift we can thank the Lord for lifting us to a higher ground. (He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2)

At work we can pray that God blesses the work of our hands (“Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! … . 1 Chronicles 4:10). We can pray that God helps us work efficiently and productively, while giving due respect and consideration to everybody we come across for the glory of his name.

And when having our meals we can thank the Lord for our daily bread and remember all others not so blessed. We can pray for the hunger of his name and for his bread and water (Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35 ESV)

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9 -11) is short, simple and direct, and we would do right to copy its essence.

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Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays. ~Søren Kierkegaard

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