Summer 2020- One day I was really struggling with trying to find time to pray and read the Bible. The day had just gotten away from me, and I had woken up late. On my way home from work, I was determined to make that time up, but temptation surrounded me.
In the Book of Matthew, Jesus gives us insight on temptation, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41). Indeed it is, Jesus.
I try to fast, but there is a fast food joint around every corner. Food is my biggest problem. If I see it, I eat. Then at the gym, I I look away from others, because lust is sin. Yet, promiscuity is everywhere too, especially if you live in a major city. Billboards and magazine covers lure you. Granted this seems to be more difficult for men than it is for women.
So I return home. I head to my living room and close the doors and the windows. I take a deep breath in and close my eyes. As I open my eyes, I realize something: I'm surrounded by entertainment systems, and books. It's so easy to reach for that remote and ignore the Bible. I look to the PlayStation and I wonder, if as Christians, should we even be playing these games. This same thought then applies to many TV Shows, and movies. I acknowledge that I am in a room full of temptation.
"AHHH"! I scream. There must be an easier way. Well, there is. Even Jesus would go to the mountains to pray (Matthew 14:23, Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12, John 6:15). So what did I do? I took a walk in nature and brought my Bible with me. I focused on His word and prayed my heart out. Well that was easier than I thought. Upon my return home from that walk, I realized something else. I needed a dedicated space free from distractions and needed to assign time for it. Was I successful?
Absolutely not. Eventually, I dedicated my office as that space. When I deal with all of the bills and paperwork, I finally find the peace, and calm that I need to focus on reading the Bible. Phew. The only thing I needed to do now was commit to waking up earlier throughout the week. We see many times in the Bible where prophets, kings, disciples, apostles, and other chosen people of God that would arise early and pray, or arise early and take action on something that God commanded them to do.
I do not know about you, but one thing I can guarantee is that by night time, my brain is fried. God does not need fried-brain prayers, and quite frankly the prayer is equally important, if not more so, for you. You do not need to have fried-brain prayers either.
But, Maeghan, if you haven't done it, how can I? Well my friend, you are not me, and I am not you, but we are both human now aren't we? My advice to you is to find a quiet place, free of distractions and a quiet time. For me, that is when I wake up, and when I am in nature.
Why does it need to be quiet? Consider what Jesus said in Matthew 6:6 "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." The Bible says "when" you close your door, not if.
So again, I say find a quiet place and a quiet time, where your mind and your heart can roam free.
Blessings and peace to you my brothers and sisters in Christ.
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