Thoughts for the Day

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Paul, in prison in Rome, asks those who receive his letter to pray not for himself but for his work. He urges them to devote themselves to prayer, and by the sound of it, not to fall asleep, or perhaps to stop.

When I went to a Selection Conference I was eight months pregnant with a four year old son (who woke at dawn), had just stopped full-time work, and had a husband on shift. I informed the retired Archdeacon that my prayer routine consisted of arrow prayers, in my head, when I was alone but my mind was free - in the car, walking the dog, in the bathroom, on a bus, in the kitchen, in the garden. He was slightly shocked, but accepted it fitted my life at that time. It would, expand and change over the years. So here is a prayer regime for the very busy:

Morning (bathroom/kitchen/walking/car/bus etc):

• Praise God, and offer thanks for a peaceful night.
• Think of the day ahead, and ask God's involvement.
• Think of a person/situation needing special help, and offer to God.

During the day:

• Are there any concerns or confessions that need referring to God?

Night (bathroom/bed):

• Review the day/thank God.
• Offer confession for mistakes.
• Think of a person/situation needing special help, and offer to God.
• Ask for a peaceful night.

If you have more time, make a list of those people you want to ask God to help, and keep persevering.

Heavenly Father,
help us to speak to You each day,
and when we fall by the wayside
encourage us to start again.
From such small beginnings
when life seems busy
and we are stressed
may we grow into wanting
a mature relationship with You,
listening for Your voice
and asking for Your involvement
in all that we do.
Amen.