Appointments with God

"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.” (Matthew 6:6 MSG)

I am fortunate to have the time, privacy, and desire to pray regularly. I start off every day by reading from a devotional, reading the Bible, and praying for those on my prayer list. I  like to use online resources during this time--to look up a verse or a song, or to post something that inspires me on facebook, or write a note to a friend. I will also answer any messages or calls I get during this time. Thus, my time with God has morphed into an amalgam of prayer, reading, writing, texting, emailing, facebooking, etc.

“We have to start by setting aside a time and a place when and where we can be with God and God alone, not once in a while, but regularly. We need to look at our agenda and reserve time for personal prayer so that we can say honestly and without hesitation to those who want to see us at that time, 'I am sorry, but I have already made an appointment then and it cannot be changed.'" ‪(Henri Nouwen, The Selfless Way of Christ)

Nouwen’s  attitude towards prayer seems a bit rigid at first. However, I can sense truth in what he is saying. If we had an appointment with our doctor, accountant, minister, or a close friend, we wouldn’t allow so many interruptions. Answering calls or texts or getting up to even go to the bathroom would be considered disrespectful of their time. We have been granted access to our Lord. Let’s not take this privilege for granted. Let’s keep our focus on Him and not on any other concern.

Lord, we thank you for giving us your attention. Help us to be faithful and respectful in your presence.  May we sense Your grace as our focus shifts from ourselves to You.