Don’t Let It Slip Away

Vacation – the very word brings floods of memories, dreams of destinations, offers relaxation and an escape from routine. Vacations give us an opportunity to explore unfamiliar places, revisit old, spend time with family or reconnect with friends.

On Tuesday, we returned from an extended weekend with our best friends. While I ate entirely too much ice cream (not really, there can never be too much!), our several days were filled with laughter, conversation, and fun. Change in routine and scenery is good, especially when you get to spend it with friends. I came back refreshed and ready to tackle the next few months. But does change in routine ever lead you to change in areas where you should not change? It did me.

Although I packed what I needed for my time with the Lord, when I am away my quiet time is different from when I am home. It is just different. Sometimes I draw closer to the Lord in new ways, sometimes not so much. I must confess my prayer life suffered this time. While I talked with the Lord, I did not share extended times of conversation with Him as I do in my quiet places here at home. However, if I am completely honest, the change in my routine came as Bethany ended her school year last week. I no longer have the quiet conversations with God when I am alone in the car heading to pick her up or driving to work after the drop off. Our time away helped me to realize I need to figure out a summer routine, one where my prayer life is not left behind.

Recently, I was reminded of the importance Jesus placed on prayer.

“In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.” (Luke 6:12)

He spent time with His Father before He selected the twelve to be His disciples.

“Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”” (Luke 11:1)

He taught His disciples how to pray.

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)

He started His day in prayer and found a quiet place to spend time with His Father.

“When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.” (Matthew 8:1)

Often in Scripture, we find Jesus went up to the mountain to pray. He had a special place.

Jesus talked with God in the midst of ministry, in busy times, in quiet times, and in times of struggle. In conversations with His Father, He was refreshed, encouraged, strengthened, and filled. His circumstances did not change the time He spent talking with God. Prayer was vital to Him.

I would like to say prayer is as vital to me as it was to Jesus, but I let it slip. Rather than setting a new time for the summer when my routine changed, rather than taking myself to a quiet spot during my time away, I let it slip.

Yes, I came home truly refreshed and ready to go, but how could I possibly think of moving forward without the Lord’s guiding hand? How could I really be ready to go, if I am not talking with Him each step of the way and seeking His direction for the next steps? In listening to my pastor’s sermon, he reminded us to bring God into every decision and every action. I cannot do this if I am not talking with God, seeking His guidance, and His wisdom to guide my paths. Can you?

So how about your summer routine? What changes did it bring? If your prayer life is strong, that is one element in your routine that should never change. Make sure your prayer time is as vital as it was for Jesus. If prayer is not a vital part of your life, what are some ways you can make it a part of your routine? How can you make sure to set aside time each day to talk with God and invite Him into every decision and every action?

Praying offers us this beautiful invitation to talk with our Heavenly Father anywhere and anytime. Don’t let it slip away. Make sure your prayer life is as vital to you as it was to Jesus.

In His Love,

Susan