Prayer timing

They say, "timing is everything." For things to work out, to launch a new idea, politicians even announce ideas with specific timing. We've so built into this idea in our culture, that if you miss your timing, it's all over. Don't even try. Give up. Perhaps you've built that into your belief system? I sure have. I have doubted myself on so many occasions- it's too late to start something new, too late to build a new bedtime routine (because mine isn't working!!), too late to eat healthy. I've ruined it. No more chances. This has even snuck into my prayer life. Welp, look where I am now. Too late to pray about that. That bad thing happened, too late to pray now. This unfortunate circumstance happened, too late to pray about that, too.

The fact of the matter is, though, it is never too late. It is never too late for anything, but especially for prayer. God has a way of turning things around, even if you feel like it is too late. God does not operate on our idea of space and time. I think He built systems to help us understand the world around us, but that's a topic for another day. He can operate beyond what we understand. If you have had something unfortunate happen, He can still turn it around, beyond what you can imagine.

The thing about prayer that we too often forget is how simple it is. Culture and religious institutions have built an idea that is automatic to us when we think of prayer.

We must clasp our hands, close our eyes, bow our heads, perhaps get on our knees. Maybe you even feel you should be in church to pray. Now, there is nothing wrong with those things. But we lose the simplicity of how near God is when we feel we must do it a certain way. Did you know He is just waiting for you? There are no rules for prayer. You can have your eyes open. You can be walking or running. You can be sitting on your couch. You can be laying next to your child, soothing them to sleep for the 10th time that night. God shows up- and listens- wherever you are.

Think about how you talk to your best friend. You're relaxed, can probably talk about anything, and you know that whatever you say your friend will hear you out. Now imagine that times about a thousand. You can approach God with the same relaxed spirit as you do your best friend.

But God is holy....shouldn't I approach Him more carefully? God is holy and almighty, but Jesus came to start something new. God sent Him so that 1) He would be the ultimate sacrifice and bridge the gap between us and God by dying for our sins, 2) that we might know God and His character more fully, 3) to bring us His Spirit, so that He is with us always, and 4) to have an intimate, personal relationship with Him. When we pray, His Grace is sufficient for us to enter His presence and come to Him without trepidation.

Back to timing. Prayer is really powerful when we do come in preparation for what is ahead. However, don't let it stop you when you haven't prepared. God wants us to come to Him continuously.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5: 17-18

There is no wrong way. Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, because they asked. You've probably heard this:

“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ Matthew 6:9-13

(Some late manuscripts include for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.)

Jesus was teaching his disciples how to pray because when He came, He changed everything in the way of rituals and practices that the Disciples were used to. He came to start a new covenant between us and God. The Disciples believed He was the Messiah, and they asked Him how they should pray. This can be a good pattern to use if you're not sure what to pray. This pattern includes all the elements we should include in prayer; "we praise God, pray for His work in the world, pray for our daily needs and pray for help in our daily struggles," (Life Application Study Bible, New International Version, p. 1657). However, you can use any form or pattern you like. God will still be there to hear you. God will still be there to answer you. He just wants you to talk to Him. He loves you that much.

James also tells us reasons we can pray. In short, we pray at any time, for everything. When we're happy, when we're sad, when we're in trouble.

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:13-16

God also wants us to be confident in approaching Him. Like I mentioned, God is Holy and our King, but He also is our Friend and Counselor.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (emphasis mine). Hebrews 4: 14-16

It is helpful to have a few moments to yourself to pray. It is also helpful to have a quiet space, so that you can focus on what you are doing. I have a notebook with a list of what I want to pray about, what I'm thankful for, and praises I want to mention. Sometimes I will speak lyrics to a song I like. However, sometimes my quiet space is in the bed next to my daughter, in the dark (as I also pray to help her fall asleep, lol!). Some of my most clear moments have been in the mundane commute from work, where I don't have to think much but drive. Yes, there are ways to be more focused and that is good for prayer, but whenever, wherever, is ok too. We don't need to overthink it. I used to 'prepare' by thinking and speaking out what I was going to pray as I was sort of multitasking. I laughed, telling myself, "you know God already heard you, right?" I am not taking away the fact that when we sit down and focus on our prayer, it can be really effective. But I also think we get too caught up in 'not doing it right,' that we lose out on the closeness and intimacy with God. He is always listening and understands! The book, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young, said it best: "It's all right to be human. When your mind wanders while you are praying, don't be surprised or upset. Simply return your attention to Me. Share a secret smile with Me, knowing that I understand. Rejoice in My Love for you, which has no limits or conditions" (January 23).

Therefore, approach God naturally, as yourself, whenever you think of it, with confidence and assurance that He understands!

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:13-15

Sometimes we come to circumstances that leave us speechless. Or you are hurting so much, there is just nothing left in you. I believe that God can handle it when we just don't have to words to pray. When we're crying to ourselves in the shower or in the pillow, left with nothing inside. The bible tells us that the Spirit will intercede for us. He knows what we need. So if you are in a season where your prayer life feels weak because of your circumstances, God has got you covered.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27

Just this morning, I was praying while making toast. Doesn't that sound funny? I was in the middle of this post, but my daughter woke up and wanted breakfast. So while I buttered her toast, I prayed that His words would come through my writing to reach whoever needs this message. So, while timing may seem like it is everything, there is never a wrong time or a wrong way to pray.

Putting into practice:

I encourage you to talk to God this week. It is helpful to write down the things that are on your mind. Look at your list to help you pray. You will start to notice, over time, that you are crossing things off that list. I like to write the dates and what is happening as I see prayers being answered. It is encouraging for when you are in a rough spot, and you can see how God has answered you before.
The Psalms are a great place to start if you need help. There are praises, times of trouble, and times of hurting. David, who wrote a majority of the Psalms, turned to God often and is a good example of how we can pour out our hearts openly and honestly to God.
Use the pattern for prayer that Jesus used to teach the disciples if you like to follow a similar pattern each day. Fill it with your words that are similar to each topic. I.e., instead of 'give us this day our daily bread,' you could say, 'thank you for providing for us today and in the future. Bless the food that we have and help those that are hungry.'
Start to look for little God moments. I notice them more when I am in tune with God's presence. Mine would be seeing a bald eagle fly over, noticing the dynamic colors or flowers or leaves, or noticing things that are strange coincidences. I think those are ways God reassures us that He is near.
Be hopeful. Know that with anything new, it takes time to get used to and to understand more fully. God will help. ;-)

Lord, I'm here. I'm not sure what to say or exactly how to talk to you, but I pray you will show me and help me understand that you are near.

Young, Sarah. Jesus Calling. Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelson, 2004, 2011.