As I read the resurrection story, my heart often focuses on one incident that occurs before the crucifixion when Jesus and the disciples were in the garden of Gethsemane. He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” (Matthew 26:38) Jesus asked His best friends and coworkers to hang out, to connect, to pray and to be alert by watching with Him in His darkest hour.
God wants my attention, my devotion and my heart everyday; yet it is a constant struggle to wholeheartedly give Him my time.
In the scripture it says that a short while later Jesus came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:40-41)
I hear the disappointment in Jesus’ voice as He spoke to His disciples.
It is my earnest desire to set aside one holy, sacred hour of time each day for me to spend time with Jesus. I sense a daily responsibility and urgency to pray, to watch and spend intimate time with Him; however, I too am distracted, not by sleep, but by the cares of this world.
Everyday I hop out of bed and tell myself that I want to do things God’s way. I heard many times throughout my life that God blesses those who put Him first.
My interruptions are different from the disciples’ challenges. The phone, the daily weather report, my dog, Facebook, emails, my children, my husband’s needs along with many other frustrations, all steal from my personal quiet time with Jesus.
When I finally sit down for an uninterrupted time alone to read the Word and pray, I discover that my heart has it’s own set of distractions. I daydream, lose my concentration and focus on other things such as my schedule for the day. I sometimes read from the Bible and don’t remember what I just read.
God speaks clearly to me,“Couldn’t you watch and pray for one hour?”
Watch means to keep alert. Listen. Pay attention to God’s agenda. Stop day-dreaming. Don’t get distracted.
Let me share some things that help me to make that hour work.
- First I establish a routine! I make a list of priority jobs, write down how long each job takes and set time limits to get them done. I schedule a specific time for each job and make it my priority to spend daily time with Jesus.
- I pray for God to order my prayer time! I also ask Him to speak through His Word.
- I try to postpone or reschedule open ended activities such as reading emails and watching the news until another time of day.
- Reading the Word to myself out loud helps me to remember more of what I read.
- Journaling or taking notes on what God is saying though the scripture makes my learning visual so that at a later time I can go back and review God’s words to me.
- I often use a prayer list or written prayers to help me to remember what to pray for. Written prayers or lists keep me focused.
Promise: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15 – 17
Partnering with God: Dear Lord, I know that spending one devoted hour with you a day is a reachable goal. Forgive me for allowing external distractions to keep me from spending time in prayer and in Your Word. Please take over my mind and help me to concentrate on You. Help me to watch and pray according to Your way.
Let me know your thoughts!
Partnering with God
Elaine
Thank you for sharing this. I have been off work for 5 weeks and it has been great! My time with God and his word has been plentiful, but next week I return and work anywhere from 8-10 hours a day. I will have to go back to my work routine where I am sad to say that some days even 30 minutes is hard to fit in. I will have to find some different ways to make it work for me. Thank you Elaine and God Bless!!
Tammy, I really appreciate what you have shared. Organizing my time in my Christian walk is a challenge and even a constant struggle. I know what I should do and what I want to do, but it does not always work out that way. I like what you said, “I will have to find some different ways to make it work for me.” I trust and pray that God will strengthen you and equip you in a new way as you return to work.
When my children were still at home and I had many other duties and distractions God had to get up daily, seven days a week, at half past four each morning. I watched little of no TV and when the pone became a distraction I would often take a blanket, thermos of coffee, my Bible and notebook and go to the park, sit by the lake in the quiet of the day and allow God time to speak into my life afresh and anew. His sustaining grace was sufficient for thee day.
I used your idea of timing necessary task. Knowing I could make the bed in less than three minutes helped me do it and not put it off. Now that my children are grown, my husband with Jesus, I have much quiet time and I find myself enjoying the fellowship with Jesus.
Thanks, June, for your comments. When I worked in my teaching job, I realized that my tasks were completed because I had established a daily routine. This was not true in my household. Once I took time to set up an organized routine at home for my morning priorities, then things got done. Even when the children took their time or there was a disruption in the AM routine, we still survived. My Quiet Time was my first priority and made an effort to start my day on the right foot.
Thanks Mrs. O’Neill. These are some great suggestions. I definitely need to be more intentional in journaling because I believe I would see even more of how God has answered prayers and worked in my life. Yet I find it so difficult to do it. Any suggestions on how to journal, what to write? I do have daily bible reading but have fallen short of doing it for an hour which I crave to do. It really is a matter of scheduling your day, I couldn’t agree more. So blessed to have your messages here on your website!
Dear Lisa, Getting organized in my schedule is always a challenge for me. The interruptions and distractions never stop especially when my children are my priority and responsibility. I try to put my quiet time first and my home routine second, but even then, the enemy attacks my time. I keep working at it and praise God for the interruptions so that my attitude is good.
As far as journaling, there are many ways to do it. I think that your best way will fit in with your personal learning style. I will write about this soon. I journal two ways: First, I write the spiritual principles directly from the Word that speak to my life. Second, I write down my reactions, thoughts and prayers in relation to what God is teaching me. This all can take hours to write it all down bringing another time challenge into my already packed schedule. The first plan works best for me. I write down what God says to me so that I can teach others. Thanks for your comments. I appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks for this reminder. Life goes so quickly. There was a time in my life when I was desperate for my time with Jesus. Desperate can be a good thing. My time is habitual now after so many years but not always fruitful. I do have to be intentional, journal open, pen in hand, and determined to protect that time with Him. The scripture you used will stay with me when I’m tempted to shorten my quiet time or skip it all together. thank you. Blessings. ~andy
Thanks Andy. I love your words: to be intentional, journal open, pen in hand and determined to protect that time with Him. It can be a daily battle to give Jesus full concentration and to stand against all interruptions. We will “keep pressing on for the high calling of God.”
It was a great meeting you and getting to know you a little. May God bless you and your ministry for Him.