We have learned how to pray our Lord’s Prayer and share this with others, but none of this can be effective for us if we don’t approach Him with the right heart (James 5:16) or make sincere arrangements to spend undistracted time with Him.
As Jesus and the disciples were traveling on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with all the preparations of the dinner she was making. She came up to Him and asked, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to do the serving by myself? Tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. Only one thing is worth being concerned about. Mary has chosen the better thing which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10: 38-42
Jesus and His Jewish followers would make sure that on Friday evening before Shabbat started, all preparations for that evening meal and the time of worship on Saturday would be completed. This was called Preparation Day. Since Jesus has now freed us to pray and worship whenever we choose, and without needing a priest to intercede for us, our readiness is to become a daily habit, in the same way that He was consistently ready to pray and serve God.
Martha was tied up in preparations of her own. I like to think of her commitment to this dinner for Jesus as detailed and lovely as Martha Stewart might have organized. A deliciously cooked and beautifully-served meal can certainly serve Jesus and her guests well. But of course He nailed it on the head so lovingly when He said, “Martha, Martha! You are letting Your chosen work cause you to grumble at Mary. You are drawn away from Me by its practicality and your desire to shine. All the details are distracting you from the One who is most important.”
We have learned new prayer skills to practice. We have different ideas to incorporate into our prayer time. We have a new attitude towards God to express. But we must make sure we are not distracted from the thing that is most important. Let’s be like Mary, who curled up at His feet, close to His heart to listen and ask questions. We hear Him speak. He hears us. This is a relationship we are building with Him.
What appropriate preparations might we engage in before we start a time of intimate prayer?
Some of us might like to light a candle. We could find a consistent place to pray and make sure our Bible is always there at the ready. Arrange to have children and pets occupied or out of the house. Make sure urgent chores are completed. Turn off our phone. Take a deep breath and smile! We have a date with the Lord of the Universe!
My God Who Hears, I know You are waiting in anticipation for our meeting each day. Thank You for always opening Your heart to me. Help me to do the same and prepare to listen. Amen.
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