End-of-the-year school events.  Graduation parties.  Wedding prep.  Church activities out the wazoo.  (I hope that’s not a bad word!)  All these fun and important celebrations happen in addition to regular life activities like work, laundry, cleaning, and keeping food on the table.  So what’s a person to do when life gets crazy?  I’m learning as I go that crazy times are the most important times to get busier in prayer.

As is the case with much of the Christian faith,  God’s instructions are incredibly counter-cultural.  I mean, really–how much sense does it make to add another activity to a calendar that’s already overflowing?  In the case of prayer, it makes perfect sense.  God says it best in His word:

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”  Isaiah 26:3

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

“Cast all your anxiety on God because he cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:7

For years I had the idea that quality prayer time had to mimic the habits of Benedictine Monks or something similar.  While those types of committed  prayer times are admirable and would be nice, they aren’t realistic for many of us, especially during incredibly busy seasons of life.  I’m encouraged this morning by another passage of scripture that seems to give practical, realistic ways to “pray without ceasing.”

“I will call out to God, and Yahweh himself will save me.  Evening and morning and noonday, I will muse and murmur, and he is sure to hear my voice…Throw whatever comes your way on Yahweh, and he will himself sustain you.  He will never let the righteous fall.”  Psalm 55:16-17, 22 (from Psalms by the Day, original Hebrew translation by Alec Motyer.)

Do you get it?  As my dear friend Robyn used to say, prayer should be like a phone call with God from which we never hang up.  God is present with the believer always and everywhere through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, therefore we are never alone in our struggles.  We are invited and encouraged by our Creator to give our stresses and burdens to Him.  We were not designed to carry them alone.  We are not able to adequately carry them alone.  Why do we insist on making life harder than it’s intended to be?

Almighty God,

Your love for us is so overwhelming that it’s hard to grasp.  Forgive us when we fail to embrace the peace you offer so freely, even–and perhaps especially–when life seems the craziest.  Order our steps today and everyday.  Focus the affections of our hearts and attention of our minds on you in every situation.  Teach us to lay each anxious thought at the foot of the cross, and leave it there.  Victory over stress is ours through your Son, Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit.  Help us to dwell in it, for your glory.  Amen.