Think of prayer as keeping Jesus company as a beloved friend

If Jesus is our “best friend,” shouldn’t we spend time with him?

Prayer can sometimes feel dry and quickly turn into a bland routine that consists of reciting words in order to get something from God. Instead of viewing prayer as a way to acquire blessings from God, try looking at it as a way to develop your relationship with God.Brother Lawrence, a Carmelite monk of the 17th century, explains in one of his letters an alternative view of prayer.

[R]emember what I have recommended to you, which is, to think often on God, by day, by night, in your business, and even in your diversions. He is always near you and with you; leave Him not alone. You would think it rude to leave a friend alone, who came to visit you: why then must God be neglected? Do not then forget Him, but think on Him often, adore Him continually, live and die with Him; this is the glorious employment of a Christian; in a word, this is our profession, if we do not know it we must learn it.

 

This picture of prayer is consistent with Jesus’ experience in the garden, “When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, ‘So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?’” (Matthew 26:40)

In a similar way, God asks us each day to spend time with him. Wouldn’t we want to spend time with him if he is our best friend?

Let’s resolve to spend more time with God and to think of him often, even when we are doing the most mundane activities.

God is always there, waiting for us to turn toward him.