Finding Time for God and Prayer!

Question:
I know that God and prayer shouldn't just be something we throw into our schedule for a few minutes, but at school this doesn't really seem to be working out because of all we have to do.  How do we make it work?

Answer by Mrs. P.:
Finding the time to devote to our relationship with the Lord, and specifically prayer, is always difficult.  It is so easy to think that at another time in life, it will be easier, but to be honest, it is not.  

At your age, the challenges are school and friends.  In a few years, it might be internships and grad exams.  A few years later, it might be marriage and work and children.  There will always be relationships and responsibilities pressing in on us and distracting us from time with the Lord.

The solution is not to put it off, but to seize the moment.  In other words, make a commitment to the Lord that He will be first place in your life and everything else will have to fit around time with Him.  Then getting going on putting action to that commitment.  Decide now that you will devote 15-20 minutes to Bible reading and prayer (conversation with God), every day.  If you like routine, look for the least interrupted time in your schedule and do it at that time every day.  If you are spontaneous, pick the next available option in the day, with a reminder such as, "Before I watch TV, listen to music, text a friend, surf the net...I will spend time with God."

Think of your time with the Lord in terms of a relationship, not a requirement.  If you want it to grow, you need to spend time together.  Sometimes, that time will be like an adrenalin rush of joy.  Other times, it will be simply co-existing.  Every earthly relationship has it's ups and downs.  Our spiritual relationship with God will also have times of deep intimacy and other moments that feel like silence.  But remain committed spending time with God and in His Word.  Walk through the motions daily as an act of obedience and love to the Lord.  In time your emotions will catch up.  God will bless your obedience with His strength to persevere and a filling of His love.

So go, commit to the Lord your time and your heart now.

Ephesians 5:15-16

 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

If you really want to see real life struggle to spend time with the Lord (and an outpouring of His grace),  read about my journey here.