“Memory is the personal journalism of the soul.” -Richard Schickel, 1933-2017, American film historian, journalist, author, literary critic

There are many distractions to our attention and time today. When should we pray? When should we ponder the Scripture? I have forgotten to pray after traveling a lot lately and living in 3 different time zones. 

Martin Luther advised, “It is a good thing to let prayer be the first business of the morning and the last at night. Guard yourself carefully against those false, deluding ideas that tell you, “Wait a little while. I will pray in an hour; first I must attend to this or that.” -from Luther’s A Simple Way to Pray 

When we remember we forgot to pray, we are remembering to pray. We must be careful not to break the habit of prayer and replace other works into its gaps. Raveling time backward, ask for forgiveness. God works outside of time. 

Set up cues to pray: a prayer book at bedside, always at mealtime, a paperclip at work, or a sticker on the garage door opener. These reminders will encourage your prayer life. Ask God to give you a spirit of humility, gentleness, and exceptional fortitude. 

In the morning, while it was still very dark he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.”  Mark 1:35 

 Prayer: 

Dear Lord Almighty,

 How often have I resolved to spend time first thing each morning in prayer and I forget?  Please forgive me.

 Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship you in spirit and in truth; A day that begins with you is blessed by you. In your mercy, you are always available. Amen