Daniel . . . knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed, . . . as was his custom. —Daniel 6:10

The family car is packed to the limit. The kids have their books, tapes, and games. The car-top carrier clearly signals to all observers that our family is taking a trip. But before we leave the driveway, we always stop and pray—asking God for safety and for family unity on our trip. It's a habit.

Prayer habits are helpful tools to remind us of our dependence on God. Perhaps you have some habits of your own. Before you eat, you pray. Maybe before the kids leave for school, you pray. Before they go to bed, you pray.

Developing prayer habits can be of tremendous help to those of us who want to develop a close relationship with the Lord but find that the busyness of the day squeezes out the time we had hoped to spend with Him. When we designate different activities of the day before or after which we always pray, we'll help to assure ourselves of regular communication with our Creator. That could become empty ritual, but it doesn't have to be—it can be a time of rich fellowship with our Lord.

David, who wrote Psalm 55, said that he prayed in the morning, noon, and evening (v.17). Daniel prayed three times a day (Daniel 6:10). Like them, we would be wise to develop prayer habits. They're great ways to make prayer an integral, constant part of our daily lives.

-JDB

PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE
Do you have regular times of prayer each day?
If not, when could you set aside time to focus your thoughts on God and talk to Him?


To make the most of your time, take time to pray.