Too Busy to NOT Pray

I just started reading the book: 'Too Busy to NOT Pray' by Bill Hybels. I will probably be posting thoughts and comments on this topic more and more the next few days and weeks to come.

Let me start with this: I think most people are too busy, period. I would categorise myself as 'too busy' most of the time. I must confess that on occasion I am so busy that I forget to pray, myself. Dr Hybels acknowledges how busy the world has become and suggests that if we are really overly busy, we can't afford not to pray.

The title of this book really caught my eye when I first bought it years ago. I have been battling 'busyness' for years and years. I would not say that I have a handle on it yet but I know that I can't conquer busyness on my own. It's only though God's Grace and Mercy that I will be victorious. We MUST Pray. We can not be too busy to pray. We must pray first thing in the morning and the last thing as we drift off to sleep at night. We need to try to be in a constant state of prayer every minute in between those times, too.

Dear Heavenly Father, Help me to be a better steward of my time. Help me to be more mindful of my prayer and thought life. Help me to be more disciplined about time spent in the WORD. Father God I pray blessings on my family, friends, and all those within my sphere of influence today. Help me to be a witness and an Ambassador of Christ. Season my speech today to speak life and truth. Let my light that comes from YOU shine in dark places. I love You, Lord. I acknowledge that every good and perfect gift comes from You and You constantly shower me with the finest gifts and blessings. Praise You Lord. Praise Your Holy Name, Jesus. And it is in Your sweet, precious, holy name I pray, Amen.

Busy-ness

This is the time of year when everything tends to speed up. I can see my workload increasing. There's so many little extra projects going on now. They key for me is to NOT keep adding on.

I have to remain focused on what God says is important: Knowing Him and Sharing His Word with others...

I need to stay busy, Yes... But that busy-ness needs to be reflecting Christ to others.

Lord, thank You for another day to impact this world for You. I pray for blessings on my day and my family's day, Lord. Father God please guard our health. Monica and I are both working on some sore throats. Keep us well, Lord I pray.

My King, help me to get into and stay completely in the center of Your will for my life. I sense that right now is a crucial moment in time and I do not want to miss an opportunity to fulfil a call you may be placing before me. I pray for discernment. I pray for patience. Father God I pray for blessing.

I love You Lord. My heart is humble and I am ready willing and able to magnify You. Oh Lord I pray these things in Your precious son Jesus' name. Amen.

Prayer for Independence

I listen periodically to a christian radio station called KSBJ... It's 89.3 on the FM tuner here in Houston. I overheard a little survey they were doing recently where they were asking listeners:

What are we Declaring Independence from this holiday...?

I thought, Hmmm... That's a good concept. I mean, of course we need to always and forever remember that the Fourth of July is a celebration of the birth of our Nation, a time when our forefathers declared they were independent from the rule of the British Crown. But, that's an excellent idea for us to take a moment to declare our independence from something, at least one thing that is keeping us in bondage.

For me that would be.... Busy-Ness

I've suffered from being too busy for as long as I have blogged and before. Remember the acronym for 'busy'..?

B....Being

U....Under

S....Satan's

Y....Yolk

Today I am definitely declaring independence from 'busy-ness'. -And it's going to stick this time..!

Of course, I'm going to begin by praying about it... Then BELIEVING that God will answer my prayer.... You see, that's my problem. I always HOPE that God will answer my prayer. Sadly, I've been a little weak in the faith department...

In my personal studies I just finished Hebrews and I've just started the book of James. You know, James has much wisdom.... James 4:10 Says for us to humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord and HE will lift us up.

James 4:14 tells us that our lives are like a vapor that appear for a moment and then vanish away... Wow, that verse really motivates me to make my 'moment' here on earth to count for something meaningful. Right now I'm wasting my 'moment' in 'BUSY-NESS'. T

My favorite verses from James Chapter Five, are Verses 15-16 -The prayer of faith will save the sick... The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous an avails much....

BUSY-NESS is a sickness. But praise the Lord: The prayer of Faith will save the sick....!

To be continued...

Taking Spiritual Inventory

Yesterday I succumbed to busyness. It actually started the day before yesterday. (Monday) I worked late at the tennis center, then I stayed up late watching the Australian Open and just scanning the channels watching mindless television while answering email from my laptop. I didn't go to bed until after midnight. As a result, I had a difficult time getting up early for my quiet time with the Lord Tuesday morning. Since I had to be at work early yesterday because there was a tournament scheduled at my club, I hurried off to work without even praying. Although the tournament ended up getting rained out, the day just sort of got away from me after that.

I just stayed busy the rest of the day. Basically I blew off God and did my own thing.

So, let me describe a relationship for you. Imagine if you had a good friend, a best friend let's say. And you two were accustomed to getting together every morning for coffee at the local coffee shop. You might even be accustomed to calling each other through out the day, bouncing ideas off each other, staying in touch.... (these kinds of relationships do exist) Then one morning your best friend doesn't show up, doesn't call, nothing. At first you'd be worried about them. They should have at least called, right...? Then you find out later that they were just too busy to contact you.

How would that make you feel...? Less important than you thought you were, I'll bet.... I think your feelings would be hurt. You might even begin to wonder about the sincerity of your friendship.

That's where I'm at this morning. I know I've hurt God's feelings and I feel rotten about it. Today's that next day at the coffee shop. I can tell that God is bummed out with me. And I've got to try to explain how sorry I am.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I am so sorry for having offended thee. I totally mis-managed my time yesterday. I did not mean too, but that doesn't excuse my transgression. I wouldn't have been too busy for Elijah or Monica. So why would I be too busy for You, my King...? My creator. The Maker of the universe, The Author of time, itself...?

Father forgive me. I'm definitely slipping. I do try to be disciplined and set aside time for you throughout the day, every day. But I know I'm not doing enough. I feel that conviction this morning. I could be doing more. I should be doing more... And Lord, by Your Grace I WILL do more.

I love You, Father. I'm going to make yesterday up to You, I promise. I want to change. But Lord I know I can't change on my own. Lord, I'm asking You, I'm begging You to help me. I need You Jesus. Please come to my rescue.

Free me from the yolk of busyness. Free me from the bondage of being over weight. Lord help me take my thought life captive and submit it totally to You. Father I want to be right in the middle of Your divine will for my life. I want to serve You, my King...!

Lord I am so undeserving of any blessings. Yet I know I am blessed far greater than a good majority of the world. I Thank You Jesus. And I praise You and bless Your holy name.

Amen.