In the busyness of daily life it can be difficult to find time to lift our hearts and minds to God. But there are ordinary moments during a typical day that offer us opportunities to connect to the One who loves us most.
The biggest challenge is remembering to do it at all, of course. Often we're focused on the task at hand and what we must do next. So the key is creating the habit of taking such moments and one way to do that is to set reminders -- whether that's placing little notes in a place you will see them, setting alarms on your phone, or anchoring the practice to something you do everyday -- such as when you sit down to eat a meal, or when you get into the car to drive somewhere.
Here are some of the times of day when you might want to take a moment to pause and say a short prayer, speak your own word of praise or petition to the Lord, or just be quiet and contemplate God's goodness, beauty, and provision. Truth be told, any moment can be a "holy moment," so choose what makes sense for you to sanctity your busy day...
The first moment you wake up
Before you even open your eyes or rise out of bed, thank God for the chance to rest and ask Him to be with you throughout the coming day. You can also make a morning offering before you get on with your day.
As you get dressed, shower, or brush your teeth
The little rituals we do to prepare for the day offer us the chance to thank God for clean water in our home, clothes to wear, and all the ways He takes care of us. These moments can also be times to ask Him to bless your day.
When you eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, or have tea or coffee
Anytime before you eat or drink is a perfect time to take a moment to bless what you're about to receive and draw your awareness to how your Father in heaven provides sustenance so you can survive and thrive.
After your kids get on the bus for school (or you drop them off)
You may want to bless your children before they go off for the day, but after they've gone is also a good moment to collect yourself, take a deep breath, and connect with God before you move on to your next task.
When you get into the car to leave for work
The moment before you drive off for the day is a perfect time to acknowledge your guardian angel and ask for God's protection on you and your loved ones. You may also want to use your commute for a longer prayer time, listen to beautiful music, or just spend time in silence.
If you notice yourself feeling tired, anxious, frustrated, or bored
What better moment to stop and lift your heart and mind to God than when you are troubled or unhappy about something? We have many moments like this in life and it's a great time to stop and pray -- it helps shift our focus and often pulls us into a more hope-filled, peaceful state.
When you start or finish a workout
Before you exercise, or even during it, you can take a moment to lift up a prayer of thanks for your body, for the ability to love, and for your health. Or if you take a walk to do a gentler kind of work out, you can pray along the way.
As you go to bed
At the end of a long and busy day, it is great to take a moment and give your day and all that happened in it to God. You might consider a nightly examen, but regardless, taking a moment to end your day by taking time for the Lord helps deepen your spiritual life and prepares you for a restful sleep.
