As Christians, we know prayer is an essential part of our lives. Christ instructs us to pray day and night about all things. Still, we live in an extremely busy world, and our lives can often be hurried. As humans, we are prone to the distractions of this world, from entertainment to social media and everything in between. Our lives get busy, and sometimes prayer takes a backseat.
Why is prayer important? Prayer is important because it’s our direct line to Jesus and how we have a conversation with him. We are called to pray about all things at all times, and the best part? He is there to listen, day and night. Prayer is a way to anchor ourselves during the busy seasons of our lives so we can find peace and direction.
If you’re feeling this way lately, don’t despair! Here are ten ideas to stay connected to God no matter how busy your life gets:
1. Start Your Day with Intention
Spending time with the Lord in prayer is a great way to start the day. This is also a great way to start your day intentionally. When you wake up and talk to the Lord first thing in the morning, it sets the tone for your day. If you need some ideas about different ways to start your morning in prayer, try these:
-Talk to the Lord in the shower.
-Wake up half an hour early and spend time in prayer and Bible study with a rich cup of coffee.
-Talk to God as you’re getting dressed.
-Speak to God on your daily walk or run and during your time at the gym.
-Talk to God on your way to work or after you drop the kids off at school.
2. Turn Everyday Tasks into Prayers
Pray and give thanks when you are doing mundane tasks every day. When we focus on only one thing and drown out the noise, that is when it’s easiest to hear God’s voice. As you’re doing these tasks, pray.
-When you’re going over your finances, thank the Lord for what he has provided for you and then pray for any issues you are having financially.
-As you are folding clothes, pray over the person whose clothes you are folding. Pray for your oldest son while folding his clothes, or pray for your husband while you are ironing his shirts.
-While you are unloading the dishwasher, thank the Lord for washing away your sins and pray for him to cleanse any sin that you are dealing with in your heart.
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3. Maximize Technology
Technology is a wonderful thing, and prayer apps help us stay connected to Jesus on the go. There are all kinds of apps to help us stay connected to him in different ways.
Prayer Apps:
-Echo Prayer
-Pray As You Go
-Hallo (Catholic)
Bible Study Apps:
-YouVersion Bible App
-Blue Letter Bible
-Daily Bible Audio (for those who learn best by listening.)
Meditation and Mindfulness Apps:
-Headspace
-Abide
Online Sermons and Podcasts:
-SermonAudio
-BibleProject Podcast
-Daily Bible Podcast with Tricia and Michelle (This is the second year I’ve followed this podcast. They read through the Bible chronologically, and you receive an email each day with that day's Scripture reading. When you’re done reading, you can listen to the podcast when it’s convenient for you.)
Digital Devotionals:
-Our Daily Bread
-First 5 (This devotion helps you spend the first five minutes of your day with God.)
4. Utilize Faith-Based Social Media Groups
-Facebook: You can find groups for different faiths on Facebook. (The Daily Bible Podcast that I mentioned above has a Facebook group. It’s a private group that you have to apply to in order to join.)
-Reddit: This is another place to find groups dedicated to your faith.
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5. Create a Sanctuary at Home
Creating a space in your home specifically for prayer is a great way to stay connected during the busier times of life. When you are in this space, you are there for only one reason, and it’s a space you create, which means it will bring calmness and peace. Here are some ideas to help you create your special prayer space:
-Choose a space that is quiet and free from traffic. This could be a corner of a room, your closet, or even a finished basement or attic.
-Add soft lighting.
-If it won’t distract you, choose some soft background music.
-Choose candles in your favorite scents to burn.
-Privacy. Make sure you let your family know that when you are in this space, you are not to be disturbed.
-Add your essentials: Bible, prayer journal, Bible study resources, and devotional.
-Make it comfy. Don’t forget a kneeling pad, comfy chair, or a prayer bench to sit on. You may also want to add a surface to write on, like a small desk.
-Make it personal. Add scriptures, pictures, and other elements that inspire you.
Remember, prayer doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out process. Don’t underestimate the power of short, spontaneous prayers. This is a great way to stay close to God throughout the day and also to pray for people on the spot.
6. Make Prayer Part of Your Family Life
In addition, prayer should be an important part of your family life. When families pray together, they are stronger both individually and as a unit. Here are some ideas for incorporating prayer into your family life:
-Pick one or two nights a week where you gather and pray.
-Post a whiteboard where family members can write their prayer requests.
-Go on a prayer walk and pray for different areas of your community. (Local businesses, first responders, and other areas you see that need prayer.)
-Make a blessing box where family members can write answers to prayer. Share those answers as a family once a week.
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7. Try Short, Spontaneous Prayers
Prayer doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out process. Don’t underestimate the power of short, spontaneous prayers. This is a great way to stay close to God throughout the day and also to pray for people on the spot.
8. Practice Group Prayer for Busy Lives
Having a community to pray with is a wonderful experience. It’s also a great way to have support during the hard seasons of life. You can either join a prayer group at church or start a prayer group with friends online and plan to meet together once or twice a week. This is a fantastic option for friends and family members who live far apart.
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9. Journal as a Prayer Practice
Prayer journaling is a powerful way to stay close to God. When you write your prayers, insights, and reflections, it helps you see where God is leading you. This also enhances your spiritual growth and helps deepen your connection with God, which helps with personal transformation.
Writing things down also helps you see where the Lord is working in your life and shows you when he comes through in ways you didn't expect. Overall, it’s a great way to look back and see all that the Lord has done for you.
10. Reflect on Your Prayer Journey, Evaluating Growth and Change
As you grow closer to the Lord, it’s a good thing to evaluate your growth and change from time to time. This is a great way to see God’s impact on your life and how, by praying for others, you have impacted their lives.
One thing to always remember is that no matter how busy our lives get, we are never far from the Lord. He is always a prayer away. By incorporating some ideas above, you will feel close to the Lord no matter how busy you get.
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Originally published Monday, 21 July 2025.
