There are days where we simply don't stop - we go at full tilt until our head hits the pillow. At times like this it can feel like our agenda has been set for us and we are compelled to do the list of things before us. And inevitably this means that other activities that matter to us will be squeezed out and postponed for a slower day.
Prayer is one such casualty. I often hear it said (and say to myself) that the day is too full to pray. We value prayer, we want to pray, and we tell ourselves we will - when things slow down. Martin Luther had a different approach - he said that on extra busy days he needed to pray more. When things were especially busy he would aim to pray for three hours early in the morning!
Luther's attitude sounds pretty extreme, but it is important to recognise that we are not slaves to a predefined agenda for our day. We are not helpless before our busyness and we absolutely have the power to make space for important things like stopping, being silent, and meeting God in prayer. This week I have participated in a week of guided prayer where retreatants commit to pray for half an hour a day and then meet online each day with their prayer guide to reflect on their prayer experience. The two people I met with this week are both very busy, but they have managed to meet their commitment and the week has been a rich and helpful journey. They are both anxious however about what happens next week when there is no-one waiting to meet with them and reflect on their praying.
How does an ordinary person (who is not Martin Luther) grow their prayer life in a busy world? The answer must be that we will surely fail on our own, but in community we will find a way. If there is a person or small group with whom we share our prayer journey on a daily or weekly basis, we will find a way. Who is accompanying you on this journey?
Prayer is one such casualty. I often hear it said (and say to myself) that the day is too full to pray. We value prayer, we want to pray, and we tell ourselves we will - when things slow down. Martin Luther had a different approach - he said that on extra busy days he needed to pray more. When things were especially busy he would aim to pray for three hours early in the morning!
Luther's attitude sounds pretty extreme, but it is important to recognise that we are not slaves to a predefined agenda for our day. We are not helpless before our busyness and we absolutely have the power to make space for important things like stopping, being silent, and meeting God in prayer. This week I have participated in a week of guided prayer where retreatants commit to pray for half an hour a day and then meet online each day with their prayer guide to reflect on their prayer experience. The two people I met with this week are both very busy, but they have managed to meet their commitment and the week has been a rich and helpful journey. They are both anxious however about what happens next week when there is no-one waiting to meet with them and reflect on their praying.
How does an ordinary person (who is not Martin Luther) grow their prayer life in a busy world? The answer must be that we will surely fail on our own, but in community we will find a way. If there is a person or small group with whom we share our prayer journey on a daily or weekly basis, we will find a way. Who is accompanying you on this journey?