I can remember (barely) long ago when I was in my 20s. My lower back was giving me some trouble, and I was told the best sleeping position to relieve the pain was to sleep on my back.
My whole life up to that point (except as an infant) I had never slept on my back. I always slept in the fetal position.
Training myself to sleep on my back was one of the hardest habits I've ever learned, yet I still do it to this day. It comes naturally to me now.
Back then, I didn't want to sleep on my back. But I forced myself to do it because I knew it was good for me and would have a positive effect on my life.
The same is true for some spiritual disciplines.
"In our Christian pilgrimage, there is arguably nothing more important—or more difficult to maintain—than a meaningful prayer life." ~Alistair Begg
Prayer is a long-term commitment. Not a New Year's resolution to be abandoned six weeks on. The where, when, and how we pray may be unique to each of us, but we all must understand one thing:
For the Christian, prayer is a necessity - not an option.
Developing a prayer habit will ultimately result in a life where prayer becomes as natural as breathing.
We see this truth in the life of Daniel.
"[Daniel] knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days." (Dan 6:10)
Daniel had cultivated a habit of praying three times a day since his youth. Do you think Daniel always felt like praying? Probably not. I'm sure there were times when it wasn't convenient. Or safe. Which was the context of the passage quoted above. King Darius had just issued a decree saying no one could pray to any god or man but him, under penalty of death.
Despite the danger, Daniel continued his habit of prayer.
God has entrusted us with the great privilege of communicating with Him through prayer. Yet, it's not a complicated process filled with coded messages or a list of rules.
We can simply talk to Him. Anytime, anywhere.
And the best part? Once we begin this daily holy habit, the rewards are instantaneous!
A friend once said to have a “spirit of prayer” throughout the day if it isn’t conducive to praying the way Daniel did.
I'm so thankful that we get to talk to God all . day . long. And He never gets bored, restless, or tired of us. What an awesome privilege. What an incredible Savior.