It is common for Teri and me on our morning walk to encounter youth on their way to school. Our custom, due to the love of Christ, is to greet them pleasantly. In more recent years, many totally ignore us. Our cheerful greeting is met with dead silence and no eye contact which seems more appropriate for a non-entity or something disgusting. (What power–deemed non-human by a twelve-year-old.) We communicate with those we value and not with those we don’t. 

With that thought, consider how long and the quality of your prayer life with the God of the universe. Might that be a reasonable indicator of your relationship with the Lord and your love for Him? “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:6). Your wife wouldn’t think much of your love for her if you gave her only a token of time and attention and didn’t want to talk to her. How much more worthy is our Lord and Savior? 

Brothers, don’t allow yourself any excuses. Have a dedicated, private time and place for prayer every day (Psalm 92:1-2). There is no better way to begin your day. “And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed” (Luke 5:16). 

Have specific prayer topics and focus for your prayers. People use grocery lists so they won’t forget something they want to purchase. How much more important are our prayers? (I use a private whiteboard in my study where I list prayer needs and requests.) 

Confess, adore, praise, thank, and petition Him. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).