Too Lazy 4 Prayer

I didn't want to get up this morning to pray.  I really, really didn't feel like.  I hadn't slept well the previous two nights and I was sleeping really good when Jeremy Riddle started serenading me from my iPod alarm clock.  I have to be honest, I hit the snooze button.  And then I hit the off button.  So I gave myself an extra 30 minutes of horizontal time and 30 minutes less of face time with God.

In case you get the idea that I am a total slacker, I DID get up and spent some time with God, reading the Bible and journaling.  This amazing thing happened when I did - I discovered God was still waiting for me and was ready to speak to me when I finally took some time to listen.  I really like that about God.  He doesn't give up on me.  He is ready to meet me.

About nine times the Bible says something like this:  

"Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity." (Joel 2:13, NIV)   You get the idea that this is an important part of God's character that he wants us to understand.  Pay attention to these words:  gracious, compassionate, long-suffering, extravagantly loving.  Why wouldn't I want to spend time with someone like that?

When I finally got up and spent my more limited time with God, I was reminded again why I make the effort and saddened that I didn't make a better effort this morning.  It was good to be with God.

I think much of prayer is about two simple things:  First, what is my time to pray.  What time of day, what day of the week and how long am I going to pray.  Second, where am I going to spend my time of prayer.  What is the place that is conducive to me speaking to and hearing from God?  I know my time (5:10 AM) and I know my place (the desk in my bedroom).  I neglect them to my peril and to God's dismay.

Have you found your place and your time?  God's waiting for you.