The Struggle of Daily Prayer

I have a confession to make:  it is a struggle to daily be in the Word and prayer.  It is not for lack of resources — my bookshelves have a number of good devotionals and prayerbooks.  The issue is my sinful self can always find leeches that suck the time out of the day.

Rather than wanting to feast on and be spiritually nourished in Word and prayer, Satan entices us with “worthy” opportunities to occupy our day and distracts us from the good things of God.  I’m reminded of the traditional reading for Compline – “Be sober-minded; be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, firm in your faith.”  Sometimes the roaring is more like a sweet purring.

Through no intentional planning of my own, I opened up a devotional book this past Sunday morning that I haven’t used for awhile – God’s Word for Today by O Hallesby – and this was the reading I stumbled upon.  The words were not earth shattering; they were simple words that I needed to hear that day.  Perhaps they resonate with you as well.

Many believers leave the nurture of their souls to chance.  They read the Bible and pray if they “get time.”  Satan sees to it that they do not “get” time.

In the morning they lie a-bed a little too long, and the many duties of the day begin to press for attention; they decide to do their praying a little later in the day.

At noon their minds are full of the many things they have to do.  Then, perhaps, they do not even think of feeding their souls.

In the evening thy are so deathly tired that, as a rule, they go to sleep before they have prayed at all.

No, we do not get time to read and pray.  We must take time for that.  We must arrange our daily program in such a way that we have time.  We must arise early enough in the morning to have the time and peace of mind to be still before the Lord before daring to go out into the labors, temptations, struggles, and sufferings of the day.  Those who begin the day with a quiet season before the face of the Lord receive something that will stand them in good stead throughout the whole day, something which will help them to maintain a holy poise.

We all recognize the necessity of bodily nurture.  For that we make provision thoroughly and regularly.  Three or four meals a day.

Brother and sister!  Care just as regularly for your soul.  No one will be more surprised at the results than you.  You will see that there is nothing magical about living a rich and vital life in God.

The simple and regular use of the means of grace will impart to the sincere soul exactly the thing which the Lord has promised: life, yea, life abundant.  (Reading for May 9 – God’s Word for Today by O Hallesby)

Related posts:

1. Daily Prayer
2. Hymn of the Day & the Chorale
3. Compline – Prayer at the Close of the Day