The issue with our hobbies, careers, plans, and responsibilities isn’t that they’re evil. The problem is that, all too often, they’re “instead of.” By that I mean that they are often chosen instead of time with the Lord. If the pace of your life is too fast to allow for quality time in prayer, then the pace of your life is too fast.

Jesus spoke specifically about carving time out of your day to devote to prayer.

But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. (Matthew 6:6, NLT)

The secret to true Christian living is how you spend your time in secret. With what do you fill the secret spaces of your life? You see, only those who truly believe in God practice secret prayer. If they didn’t believe in God, for whom would they be performing in secret?

As followers of Christ, we must get into the habit of guarding our secret time. Let nothing or no one come between you and your time in prayer. 

Business should not take the place of secret prayer, for you can accomplish more in a prayer-filled day than you can in a prayer-less week.

Family should not take the place of secret prayer, for nothing would be better for your family than for them to have a Christ-like version of you.

Worry should not take the place of secret prayer, for worry is simply the flesh’s powerless counterfeit for prayer.

Entertainment should not take the place of secret prayer, for there is nothing more spectacular and fulfilling than knowing the depths of the Spirit.

Stubbornly guard your prayer life. Vigilantly protect the secret place. Re-arrange your schedule. Say no to taking on more hobbies and responsibilities. Wake up earlier. Stay up later. Turn off your phone. Whatever you need to do in order to protect the secret place, do it. 

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