Daily
Devotional

In our church, the Junior Department assembly room is changed into a prayer room after Sunday school, with chairs set in rows. Usually, it is quiet and nearly empty for the first few minutes. I was kneeling there to pray one Sunday, when a little girl from the Primary Department came in and stopped short when she saw me on my knees. She looked at me, puzzled for a moment, and asked, “What are you doing?” I answered her, “I am praying.” “Oh,” she said, and went on her way.  

Her question made me think—What am I doing? I began to re-examine the words that had been going through my mind: Did I unplug the coffeemaker when I left the house? Did I turn the oven on? Will the roast in it be big enough to invite guests? Maybe I should have planned another side dish. I wonder if I should have worn black shoes with this dress. Tomorrow, I had better call my sister and see if she wants to do lunch on Tuesday . . .

Have you ever gotten on your knees to pray and started, “Dear Lord, bless this food . . .”? Praying is a form of communication with God, yet sometimes my thoughts stray and I forget to include Him in the conversation! The temptation to focus on the duties of the next day or week invades my mind.  

It is easy to get distracted from focused prayer by the “cares of this world,” because there are deadlines to meet, people to call, appointments to keep, and lists to consider. All these things are necessary and normal, yet the enemy of our souls would use them to keep us from really getting through to God.

Jesus said that when we pray, we should first address our Father, which is in Heaven. Acknowledging God and considering His place, His majesty, His holiness, who He is, and what He has done, helps us focus. Other thoughts still threaten to invade, so at those times I find that praying out loud helps me keep in touch with the One to whom I address my prayer.

Then my prayers are more like this: I hope that new family will be in church this morning. Lord, help the minister with the Word as it is delivered, and help each heart to be fed and comforted as needed . . .  Then I am in real prayer; I know God is sitting beside me and we are “in one accord.” Then I feel His nearness and concern with my petition.

When that true communion begins, I can forget the world outside and hold on to the holy moments with my Savior. We talk together and it feels good; He is my Friend and He understands me. He even helps me pray!

Thanks to that little girl, I remember why I kneel and why I come into His presence—Lord, I want to talk to You.