A mother’s busy day doesn’t stop just to allow her prime time with God. But prayer can fit into the schedule.

By Cheryl Paulsen

The baby sits in the high chair and screams for cereal. The toddler spills the milk. The seven-year-old is finally out the door and on to school after being hurried through breakfast, devotions, and the rest of the morning routine. Sound like a familiar morning at your house? And in the middle of all that, you remember the minister said last Sunday, “We all need to spend more time in prayer.”

Indeed, it sounds like a fine idea! But how? When? From the early morning feeding until the last diaper is folded after the children are in bed, what mother isn’t busy every minute of her day? It seems only a short time once you’re past the bottles and diapers, until you’re into the school work and music lessons. If the mother is working outside the home, the pressures are intensified. By the end of the day you fall into bed exhausted.

So does that mean praying is an impossibility for mothers? No one would agree with that. But then how can prayer be fit into a busy mother’s day? Jesus said, “Watch and pray.” This is a reminder of the necessity of keeping the communication lines open to avoid failing in the time of temptation. But could this admonition also mean to watch for extra opportunities to pray?

Look for opportunities

The first step toward finding time is to realize it won’t happen by accident. How do we find time to do anything? We set aside time to do it — doing the most important things first. If we want to pray, we will have to make it a top priority item for which we make time. Why not start by looking for opportunities?

No doubt many have tried different methods. One mother determined to pray every time she fed her baby. Another used the time she was ironing to communicate with the Lord. Where are our thoughts as we load the washer, vacuum the carpet, or mix the casserole for tonight’s dinner? Could we be talking to God as we do those things? How often have we dragged ourselves out of bed to comfort a toddler who has just had a nightmare? Sometimes our presence is required until the child is calm enough to sleep. Instead of fretfully counting the minutes, how about making good use of the time to pray?

One mother determined to pray while her preschoolers napped. She was already saved and sanctified and what happened? The Lord rewarded her with the baptism of Holy Ghost one afternoon in her own home. This could be called “quality time” in prayer. So much is said about having quality time with our children, but let us not forget how important it is to have quality time with the Lord.

Susanna Wesley’s example

The story is told of Susanna Wesley — mother of nineteen children including Charles and John — that she would sit down, pull her apron over her face, and pray. Her children knew that she was praying and were instructed not to interrupt her.

The more you talk with a friend, the more you have to talk about. The more you have to talk about, the more you want to talk. If Jesus is the Best Friend, try spending more time talking to Him and see what will happen. The more we talk with Him the more we will want to talk with Him. The natural result of this will be that we will make more time for prayer.

Getting past the hindrances

No doubt all this sounds very good. But there is one other thing to remember. The minute we purpose to pray, the enemy of our souls sees that. Never think he will let such a purpose pass unnoticed. Remember Daniel. If we plan to pray while our children nap, we may find they just won’t settle down to sleep easily. If we plan to pray while we fix the dinner, you can be sure the kids will be fighting right then or the telephone will ring. The devil will lay every hindrance he can find in out paths. But if we resist the devil, he will flee from us.

The benefits of prayer are worth everything. Many have proven the truth of James 5:26: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man (or woman) availeth much.” Who knows what would happen if you would purpose to pray more, no matter what interference the enemy might produce! Ask the Lord to help you, and try it!

Cheryl Paulsen is Corporate Secretary at the Apostolic Faith International Headquarters in Portland, Oregon.