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Pray as you can

I don't think I've ever met a Christian who is satisfied that they pray enough (or read the Bible enough). I distinctly remember once sitting in a group gathered for conversation and prayer, wondering if I had the courage to admit that I don't pray enough; then almost everyone in the group said the same thing - I need to pray more.  

Sometimes I wonder if part of the problem is the widespread teaching that a daily "quiet time" of Bible reading and prayer is the proper pattern for Christian spirituality.  It is usually recommended that this be first thing in the morning, so that we "start the day with God".  I have two main problems with this - 'morning' and 'quiet'.  I do not do mornings, and I get very fidgety when I'm supposed to be quiet.  At college we had whole 'quiet days', which I dreaded with a fierce passion, spending the whole of the time we were allowed to talk reminding everyone that I am an extrovert and that they were torturing me.  Apologies to all the introverts who were blessed by the opportunity not to have to listen to people like me for large parts of the day.

Does God only speak when we're quiet?  Does God only speak in the mornings?  Does God need me to be completely inactive for him to speak?  Personally I find the second best time for prayer is when I'm in the car.  My body and part of my mind are engaged, preventing me from fidgeting.  I speak my prayers aloud.  The problem with this is that I am very easily distracted (and not just by oncoming motorists).  The best time for prayer, for me, is when I'm praying with other people.  I have recently started attending a prayer group who meet on weekday mornings (but not too early!).  I find that this plays to my prayer strengths while also demanding some discipline from me - i.e. getting to work half an hour earlier.  Coffee helps.

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