Only In Heavy Traffic???

"To pray only when in peril is to use safety belts only in heavy traffic." - Corrie ten Boom, activist and writer, instrumental to the success of the Dutch Underground during World War II

Such wise words here - I like the analogy. Safety belts are to be used all the time - prayer should be used the same way - all the time.

Prayer is an important part of my everyday life now.  I can't imagine not praying on a regular basis.  But there was a time in my life when I would only issue up "foxhole" prayers.  This course of action didn't get me very far, I can assure you of that. I was raised in a traditional religion so I learned many formal prayers that had to be said every night before I went to bed.  It became a boring ritual and I performed them in a robotic and monotone voice.  I don't think I ever thought about the meaning behind the words.  I would rush through the prayers like it was a race.  I didn't understand the significance of the prayers or pay attention to the words at all. My heart wasn't in it.

My prayers are very different today.  I pray every day, all throughout the day, whenever the thought of God crosses my mind, which is often now.  I have so much to be grateful for that I find myself thanking Him for everything - blessings, challenges, children, my job, my friends, and on and on and on.  I offer myself to God to use me in any way that will allow me to be of maximum service to Him. This is my purpose in life.  This is such a wonderful revelation for me.  I know what I'm here to do now.  I take care of what is put in front of me and I ask for my Higher Power's guidance every step of the way.  There are times when I say those memorized prayers - they bring me comfort now.  It's different because I pay attention to the words and I know that I mean them today. My focus has shifted.

After my prayers are said, it's time to listen for God's voice - that inner voice that tells me what to do and how to get to where I need to go.  This has worked out quite well for me for years now so I think I'll continue to do what works. God is good!