“Look to the Lord and His strength, seek His face always.”           1 Chronicles 16:11

Do you ever struggle with prayer?

I do. 

I feel like I don’t have time. There is just too much to pray for and about. 

I feel like I don’t know what to say. It is so hard to get started.

I am just so busy I can’t sit still – be still – long enough.

All very poor excuses.

I know how important prayer is – a time to be thankful, a time to seek more, a time to cry out. Yet, I still don’t do it consistently.

Face it – Prayer is personal. We each have to find what works for us as individuals. 

I have recently been struggling with these thoughts and one evening as I was preparing for a good night’s sleep, I stumbled upon a simple formula to get my prayer life back on track. 

I was washing my face before bedtime, thinking about how tired I felt and how I would love to skip that part of my nighttime routine. Offering myself a little positive self-talk, I told myself how much better it was for me to take a couple of minutes to cleanse my skin and mind before bed. 

That’s when it happened … I made the connection. I need to take at least a couple of minutes (or more) each day to cleanse my soul. 

I thought about how I could apply my nightly practice to my prayer life to make it simple. To get me back in the habit. A simple routine to jump start my prayer life.

Then, I developed this basic pattern to make sure I always have time and make time to pray. 

Here’s how it goes: (Just fill in your own blessings and cares to make it your own.)

Dear God, 

I first want to praise You for all of my blessings both seen and unseen (eyes) my family, friends, a safe home, a good job, rebirth, and the renewal of my spirit.

Because I know (nose) You hear (ears) me when I pray, I lift in prayer my cares and concerns – my needless worrying, my friend’s illness, and the unrest in our world. I ask (mouth) for Your mercy and grace.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

By remembering this simple pattern – eyes, nose, ears, and mouth – you can face every day with prayer.

Start now and tomorrow just Face It (with prayer).