Father, I’m too busy today. I have filled my life with too many urgencies And obligations. I can’t take the time to quiet my soul And just meditate on You.
I have a checkup appointment with the doctor this morning. (Thank you for my health and wellness, and Give the doctor insight and wisdom to see What I need to do to stay healthy.)
And then, I have a busy day at work, To make up for the time off… (Thank you, Father, for employment!) (Thank you for time off!) (Thank you for travel mercies.)
Tonight, I have to catch up on all the housework… (Thank you for a home, and clothing, and dishes, and furniture…) (Thank you for family to share it all with!) And I promised our neighbor I’d check on their cat while they are on vacation. (Thank you for good neighbors, and the opportunity to serve them.)
Lord, forgive me… I’m just too busy to pray today. (Father, thank you for a busy life– a life with purpose and activity. Thank you for your Presence throughout the day!)
Father, thank you for the truth– I am NOT too busy to give you praise I am NEVER too busy to turn my thoughts and my heart to YOU, even on this busy day!
I really need to go on that diet. I really should call my Aunt Kay. I need an hour of peace and quiet. And time to sit and pray.
But I’m scrolling through Facebook. I’m following the news. I just need another look; This meme has so many views..
I should greet that new couple at church. I should make them feel at home. But I need a cup of coffee first. And my hair should be re-combed.
My Bible waits by my chair– Unread these past four days. Later, I know it will still be there– Ready to catch my gaze
Tomorrow, or the next day. God will understand. I want to follow His Way, But this wasn’t what I planned.
I got caught up in a magazine I stopped to shoot the breeze– My house is needing to be cleaned Before I get on my knees.
I “had to,” “should have,” “had a mind” To spend time with God, and yet My day’s flown past, and now I find I’ve only time to fret.
“Not yet” was my sad refrain “Not yet” kept me on the go. “Not yet” robbed me once again Of time spent with One who loves me so.
And so my day was filled and rife With wasted time and small regrets. I missed the more abundant life Of trust grown from obedience.
The internet will still be there Tomorrow and the next day; But the trust built up in an hour of prayer Can never be taken away.
Today may be busy with “urgent” needs and countless distractions. But there will only be one “today” to meet with God– in prayer, Bible study, meditation, and worship. What is my priority today? Even if I can’t “find” an entire hour in my busy schedule, have I made a plan and a priority to meet with God? Am I searching for opportunities to serve Him and encourage others, or am I too busy searching for my own entertainment and fulfillment? What are the empty things in my life that I should be telling, “Not yet?”
“Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and Nature sing!”
from “Joy to the World”, by Isaac Watts
I cleared a space in my living room for a tree. I placed a Nativity set on our newly-cleaned mantle place.
I found a cozy nook to wrap all the Christmas gifts, And I used candles and decorations to fill all the empty space.
I cashed in my Christmas club money to buy the gifts For friends and family.
I set aside money to buy stamps for Christmas cards And to give to charity.
I cleared my schedule and made time for All the extra running this Holiday season.
For parties and shopping with friends; For Church and family–all excellent reasons!
But it wasn’t until I made time and space for the Babe– God come to Earth as a baby Boy–
It wasn’t until I let go of all of “it” for “HIM,” That my heart was transformed with Unspeakable Joy!
Christmas has room for bells and lights, For carols, and cookies, and festive nights.
Christmas has room for laughter and presents. But it isn’t really Christmas without HIS PRESENCE.
“Let every heart prepare Him room” this year. Let every heart be filled with true cheer.
Let us Adore Him–far and wide– This Savior who was born; who died
And rose victorious over the tomb! Who entered our world in a Virgin’s womb,
The one who came to save the human race; The one who is filled with “redeeming Grace!”
May Christmas Day, and ALL our days Be filled with Wonder, Joy, and Praise!
Today, as we celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ into the world, let us remember that He came into a world that wasn’t prepared. There was no room in the inn. There was no baby shower, anticipating the arrival of a long-expected birth. In fact, His birth came without all the trappings that we have added to the Holiday. I love all the wonder of the Christmas Season– all the lights and songs; gathering with family, and friends, Advent services and Christmas Eve candlelight vigils, gifts and cookies, Christmas movies and Christmas cards– I could go on for pages!
But the heart of Christmas comes quietly and simply; when we step back from all the glitter and activity and take in the absolute wonder that the God of the Universe stepped into all the limitations of His Creation– a world of time and space, dirt and disease, broken hearts and broken bodies–and He did it for YOU and for ME. He had to be fed and changed–the ruler of Nations!–and placed in a manger to lie in all the helplessness of infancy. He had to walk wherever He wanted to go. He had to eat and sleep and wait in lines and wash away the dirt and sweat of His exertions. He had to listen to the foolish arguments and explain Himself to critics whose very souls He had lovingly created. And He let them condemn Him unfairly and kill Him in the most painful and humiliating way they could dream up.
Christmas is about Joy bursting into a world that was NOT prepared for it. It is about the inextricable link between suffering and celebration; between seeking and being sought out; between salvation and sacrifice.
Our Joy at Christmas cannot be manufactured by songs or gifts or entertainments. It can’t even be found in rituals and traditions. But when Jesus finds room in our meditations, our relationships, and our lives, Joy is the overflow.
May we all find Joy this Christmas– whether or not we prepared in advance; whether or not we checked off all the items on our “to-do” lists; whether we can afford all the trimmings and decorations; even if we are crying out in the darkness– may the Joy of Christmas burst upon us, just as Jesus burst upon a weary world so long ago! 
I woke up this morning. Thank You! I’m alive! You have given me life and sustained my life another day!
I opened my eyes and looked at the ceiling. Thank you, Lord, for eyes to see! Thank you for shelter, and a roof over my head!
I heard the traffic noises and rain falling outside my window. Thank you for ears to hear! Thank you for protection from the elements!
I tuned over and burrowed under the blankets for a moment, before stretching and getting up. Thank you for a bed and blankets! Thank you for mobility to stretch and rise from my bed!
I went to the bathroom. Thank you, Lord, for clean, running water. Thank you for indoor plumbing and toilets!
I ate breakfast– toast, juice, and a scrambled egg. Thank you for food. For a toaster, refrigerator, stove, pans, and fresh eggs.
I took my morning medicine. Thank you for my health– the ability to treat my diabetes and live a productive life!
I took a shower, brushed my teeth, and got dressed. Thank you for hot water! Thank you for healthy teeth and skin! Thank you for clean clothes!
I checked my e-mail and text messages. Thank you for the ability to communicate with friends and family, both near and far!
I got in the car, and drove to work. Thank you for the ability to travel! Thank you for a job!
Just another hectic morning…Nothing special.
I left without saying my morning prayer or reading my Bible. I guess I was just too busy today…
I could have smiled when I paid my utility bill the other day– When the clerk asked if she could help me, and thanked me, and sent me on my way.
I might have offered my unused coupons to that young man who was shopping– The one with two boisterous kids in the cart, and very few groceries. Maybe he would have been offended. But maybe it would have given him an opportunity And a little hope.
I thought about calling an old friend and asking if we could pray together. Maybe we could have met for tea or gone for a walk together.
I had planned to clean out the closet and set aside some clothes to take to a local shelter.
I considered calling my sister, sending a card to that widower from church, or e-mailing my cousin…
I really needed to spend a little time in confession and repentance, and cleansing. I needed to be renewed, recharged, and transformed. At least, I thought I did. But something else claimed my thoughts, and my good intentions. Now, I just feel worn and guilty and unworthy.
And the “thing” is– I didn’t do anything horrible. I didn’t make anyone cry, or rob a bank. I didn’t burn dinner or break the speed limit. I didn’t break my marriage vows or embezzle a fortune. I didn’t break the law– I didn’t even break a sweat!
I just Didn’t.
Lord, today, I pray that you would light a fire under me. Help me to see the opportunities all around me– tiny acts of kindness, and truths that I need to hold tight. Show me people who need a listening ear, or a helping hand, or a word of encouragement. Help me to move “at the impulse of your love.” And when You direct me to be still, help me to be still and KNOW that You are a God of purpose and hope; joy and abundance. Help me to BE first–to Be obedient, to Be humble, to Be available. But then, help me to DO what you would have me do for Your Great Name. Thank you for second (and third) chances to BE and DO all that brings You honor. Amen.
You are Trustworthy True Righteous Glorious and Worthy of Praise.
Nothing escapes Your notice. Nothing surprises You. Nothing frustrates or puzzles You Nothing is too difficult or too messy or too broken For You to LOVE To Change To Cherish
Father,, Today is a dreary day. It is not warm or sunny; it is not filled with joy or peace. The house is a mess. I’m not even dressed. I feel emptied and drained.
Even though I can’t see Your glory in my surroundings, I know You can see The glory of eternity. You see the brighter days ahead. You are already there, Celebrating.
You have not journeyed here to Listen to my prayer… Because You have always been here Right beside me. You are not put off by my Dirt or disheveled appearance; You are not unaware of my sadness– You know my thoughts before I think them! You know my emotions better than I know myself!
Today is a dreary day, But it is just a speck in the fullness of Your Eternal Light. Shine into my darkness Dispel the dreariness around me. Help me to reflect, not the clouds, But the Son!
Thank you, Lord. Even on a dreary day, In Your presence, there is fullness of Joy– Not the giddiness of a sunny springtime, But the glow of a hearth-fire, Sustaining me.
So my praise today may not explode In bright colors and exclamations. But it will be a steady and steadying Ember–warm enough to survive Ready for You to Ignite tomorrow’s fresh flame!
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
I looked in the mirror this morning. There it was again, right in the middle of my forehead… “Failure.”
The label peeled off. But some residue was left behind. I could feel it. Every time I knit my brow, Every time I tried to smile, Every time I tried to look up.
I cried out, “God forgive me. I’m a failure.” But I thought I had been forgiven before. Why was I still wearing the label? Why did it keep coming back?
I looked closer at the label I had thrown away. “Made in USA.” Not “Made in Heaven” Labels are made on Earth. By other people. In my own mind.
This time, when I looked up, I couldn’t feel it. But I saw the others– Wearing labels, just like me. “Failure” “Hateful” “Unwanted” “Used” “Unworthy”
And the labels were all made somewhere on Earth– “USA” “Pakistan” “China” “Zimbabwe” “Honduras”
The labels were hard to ignore. Someone had put them there for all to see. But what if I could look beyond the labels And just see the faces? Look into the eyes of my sister, And see the beauty God had intended to be there.
Father, Help me remember that there is NO Condemnation for those who belong to you. Condemnation comes from others. You are the righteous Judge, NOT the prosecutor. You have the authority to condemn– yet you offer Grace to anyone who will repent. Your only label is a banner of Love that says “Precious to the Lord.” Help me see Your label– whether in the mirror on on the street– whenever I look around.
Pursuing Prayer 