Ask most people about their lives, and you're bound to hear the word “busy” pop up. And with so many responsibilities and entertainment options to keep us busy, it can be difficult to find time for prayer. But if you want to maintain a close relationship with God, it's important to create space for prayer in your daily life. Yet, it's important to remember that prayer is a wonderful privilege and opportunity to connect with your heavenly Father and was never meant to feel like an obligation.
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How to Find Time for Prayer Every Day
If you're like most people, your day can get pretty hectic. Going from meeting to meeting, managing household chores, raising a family, and juggling job duties can leave you feeling worn out. And at the end of the day, all you want is a little peace and quiet. But how do you find that when every day seems to be one thing after another? How do we take time for prayer without it feeling forced and like just another thing to check off your daily to-do list?
Here are a few key ways to make time for prayer
Develop a Habit of Prayer
The first step is to prioritize prayer by making it a daily habit. This means you set aside time for prayer and put your plans on hold when they conflict with the best plan: God's will. As with any new habit, you need to start small. Perhaps you could try praying just five minutes each day in the morning or evening. After starting your day with prayer, you may find you are more focused and calm throughout the day.
Make it a part of your morning routine
A good way to start your day is by reading a passage of Scripture. Keeping Scripture close means you can read it at any time for comfort or guidance. Whether you set a reminder with your morning alarm or take a moment over your morning cup of coffee, it’s quick and easy to incorporate Scripture and prayer into your day. Bring a moment of peace and send your loved ones off on their day with a prayer for their health and safety.
If mornings are a rush, you might consider waking up earlier than usual so that you can spend a few extra minutes with God before heading off to work or school. Learn how to go from feeling rushed, overwhelmed, and frazzled to being productive and living with intention inside of this 14-Day quickstart.
Whenever you hear a siren
A blaring siren is an auditory reminder that someone is in need and could use some extra strength and prayer. So whenever you hear a siren, take a moment to say a prayer for whoever is in need.
Mealtime
This is a traditional and easy way to remember to thank God for what you have. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are also great times to catch up, talk about or contemplate your days and thank God for his faithful provision and protection.
Listen to your intuition
Have you ever just had the urge to reach out to someone, to let them know that you’re thinking about them? While you may not know the specific reason why the individual came to your mind, it's a perfect opportunity to pray for them. You never know what challenges they could be experiencing at that very moment. More often than not, they could use some support, and a little bit goes a long way.
During physical activity
Prayer doesn't have to mean sitting down cross-legged in an empty room either. Simply find what works well for you. Certain activities like driving or cooking are an ideal time for contemplation and prayer. You could also pray during workouts, folding laundry, mowing the lawn, or doing the dishes. Repetitive and time-consuming tasks present the perfect time to have a more extensive conversation with God.
Use Apps and Reminders
Most people are well connected to their phones these days, and there are plenty of positive ways to utilize them. Phone reminders or alarms can be set at intervals throughout the day to remind you to say a quick prayer. All it takes is a brief pause to offer up thanks and praise.
Consider downloading prayer apps to help incorporate prayer into your daily routine. These apps provide daily prayer prompts based on your specific concerns. A few prayer apps to check out include:
- Daily Prayer App
- YouVersion Bible App
- Prayer.com Daily Prayer & Bedtime Bible Stories App
- Echo Prayer
- PrayerMate App
You may also try writing your prayers down in a journal. Prayer journals are available in the traditional book-bound format and as printable downloads and digital formats. 
With so many options, you are bound to find one or more suitable for your needs.
Create an Atmosphere
While you can do prayer on the go, having a specific time and place to meet with God can help create a prayer habit. You can designate a whole room, a closet, or a special chair as your prayer place. You might consider adorning your prayer place with candles, comfy cushions, a prayer bench or mat, a prayer journal, notebooks, a pen, along with inspirational wall art. Simply use whatever would make your space inviting.
Develop a bedtime routine
Just as having a morning routine can be helpful, a bedtime routine is essential as well. Consider spending a few moments reading Bible passages or writing in your journal about the ways you've seen God throughout before turning in for the night.
Saying your prayers before bed can be very meditative and calming for the mind and make for even better sleep.
Prayer is an essential tool in building our relationship with God. And while we may not always see the immediate impact, we can be assured that it makes a difference in our spiritual health and daily life.
It's important to take time for prayer daily, as it recharges your spiritual batteries. Leave a comment below telling us how you create space for prayer in your daily life.