Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Messenger, Skype, Oovoo, Text, Email are all ways to communicate via technology. It is amazing how much time is spent interfacing with others that is not even face to face. According to BusinessNewsDaily, the average American spends 23 hours a week emailing, texting, and using social media. This is equivalent to 14% of the total time in a week. Let’s compare these numbers to the interface time we spend with God.
George Barna research tells us that the average American prayer lasts just under 5 minutes. 37% of Americans say that they pray once a day. Churchleaders.com has found that pastors median daily prayer time is 30 minutes a day. Even if we take the best prayer examples in this country, the average prayer time a week is 3.5 hours a week. Compare that to the amount of time we spend in social media a week. We are giving much more attention to other people and our technology than we are to God.
I want to encourage you to pray. Jesus encouraged his disciples to pray. The entire chapter of John 17, is dedicated to Jesus’ prayer life. He prayed for himself, his disciples, and for all believers. The Bible contains 377 references to praise and 375 references to prayer. In John 15:4-5 we are exhorted to remain in Jesus so that we can accomplish all that God has for us to do. Prayer ought to be the foundation of our relationship with Christ. Our lives are transformed and our character becomes more Christ-like when we spend time with Him. If you don’t have a plan to meet with Jesus daily, start one. Schedule that time on your daily calendar just like you would every other appointment. May we be a people of prayer!
“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests by made known to God. And let the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (HCSB)
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