How Long Does It Take?

I stopped to ask myself, “How long does it take to develop the propensity of praying without ceasing?” I have discovered in my own life that it is also a continuous life-learning process. It is a discipline in making it a constant habit of my life.

I force myself to recognize that I must depend on the Lord in every situation that comes my way. This must be done in the simplest and the most challenging situation I am faced with. I can’t do it without my dependence and trust in Him!

I find myself talking to the Lord, and praying short prayers to Him. I may be cooking, or working out in the yard or feeding the horses and dogs and I simply talk to the Lord. I may think of someone all of a sudden and I begin to pray. I pray for the family in distress on the local news. I talk to God in the short term as I do in the long term. It’s a habit I work on and need to improve daily. I pray silently as I wait in the medical office. If my attention is taken up by someone, I begin to pray in their behalf.

And, what happens is simply this; I find that my situation and issues aren’t as painful as I thought. I begin to love and praise the Lord because of His unfailing love. I begin to see others differently and more importantly I see myself change, and recognize more often how much more of God I need in my life!

I am reminded of a homemade sign that was posted on an old eucalyptus tree on the road from my junior high school to my home. Everyday as I walked home from school, I would see it. And, I would repeat what it said. Even after all these years I find it to be so prevalently true: “Prayer changes things.” Prayer does change things, it really does.