Morning prayer is sometimes a struggle for me. Even when I’m reading along in the Bible and using scripture as a focal point my mind still often wanders into the past or into the future or somewhere else. During that struggle this morning I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me about the importance of living in the now. Hebrews 11:6 says “now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.” Notice that faith must be in the ‘now’. Hebrews 3:15 (NLT) says “…Today when you hear His voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.” Though God is eternal and not subject to time as we know it, we must acknowledge His presence in the ‘now’ and ‘today’ of time or we will sideline His ability to work in our life the way He wants.

Jeremiah 29:11 says “…I know the plans I have for you, ‘says the Lord,’ they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” These optimistic words were spoken to God’s people while in captivity because of rebellion against God. Even though they had missed His will, broken His commandments and sinned against Him and ended up in trouble because of it, His love for them had not changed and He wanted them to know it. However, He couldn’t help them come out of bondage until they turned back to Him and began honoring His Presence in the now of their lives. Dwelling on the past or worrying about the future did nothing to bring about God’s delivering power to them nor will it for us. On the other hand, think of what being consistent to acknowledge Him in the everyday moments of our living can mean. More power in our prayer life. More love towards those around us. A greater sensitivity in our spirit man. Greater wisdom in our decision making and on and on goes the list of the advantages of His everyday friendship. It’s just a matter of making the decision to do it now.