Prayer Tip--Good Church, Great Living

On busy mornings, sometimes I only have a few minutes to devote to prayer. This isn’t ideal for me, but it is a reality. On these busy mornings, I try to say even just a few words to God—and to listen to God’s “gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12).” Sometimes I can only pray a line or two, such as “God please help me to see and share your love today.” Sometimes I just sit in silence and listen.

The Bible shows us that our prayers need not be long or fancy; we can talk to God just as we talk to a trusted mentor or friend. Biblical scholars tell us that the book of Psalms in the Old Testament is an ancient prayer book—a vast collection of prayers that were spoken and sung often during worship but also by individuals for private devotion. Psalm 63 was spoken in times of soul-searching and uncertainty and sounds as if the author is earnestly seeking to find God amid a challenge. Some Psalms are happy, some are spoken out of anger, and others are deeply sorrowful. The Psalms show us that, no matter what we are feeling, God is always ready to listen.

Prayer Tip: For the times when you’re busy or don’t feel like you have the words to pray, consider a “breath prayer.” A “breath prayer” is a one-line prayer that you can say in one breath. “God please guide me,” or “Jesus, I praise you,” are just a few examples. You can repeat this throughout the day and for as long as it feels right.