Grazing
I recently spent a week with my sister in California. We had a wonderful time visiting cousins and enjoying the scenic views in San Francisco and Yosemite. After spending extended time with my sister, I was reminded of her eating patterns. She doesn’t like to eat big meals — she’s more of a grazer! It’s a healthier way to eat, munching on fruit and healthy snacks throughout the day instead of eating a few large meals. She feeds her cats the same way — many small meals throughout the day.
When I had my devotion the other day I was thinking about that pattern of eating, and the pattern many of us use for devotions. I tend to have my devotions in the morning, and I’m happy when I have made the time to spend in the Word and in prayer. I feel a sense of accomplishment, and can go about my day. On a typical day, I will continue to turn to God for help, guidance, in praise, but the extended devotion is one time, in the morning.
We don’t eat one time a day, so why do we have devotions only once a day? In the book of Daniel we learn
“when Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.” Daniel 6:10. ESV
Also in the New Testament, there are references to times of prayer, 9am, noon, and 3pm.
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.” Acts 3:1. ESV
There is an ancient tradition in the Church known as Praying the Hours, or the Daily Office. There are many resources, both online and in print, to guide one through these devotional and prayer times, and most include scripture, written prayers, and sometimes passages written by Church Fathers. I have found that having a rhythm in the day of turning to God at set times is more beneficial than having a devotion one time a day. When I have taken the time to “pray the hours” I am more peaceful, purposeful, and focused on praising and serving God. Just as we need to eat more than once a day, we also need to feast on God’s Word and spend time in His presence more than once a day. Let’s try “grazing” instead of “gorging” and see how our spirits benefit!
http://www.prayerfoundation.org/dailyoffice/
I think it is such a wonderful idea to meet with God throughout the day. I will have to check out the resources.
Yes, the fixed hour prayer is a wonderful practice. It’s often hard to keep up with our busy lives, but I always try to do it during Advent season, and I’m attempting to do it year-round.
I love this. I try to have a set time each day. However, I’m constantly taking moments to pray throughout the day also. It’s something I learned from my mom.
How wonderful to have a mom who set such a good example–that’s a blessing!
Thank you for this, Katie. I think I’m sort of a grazer. I start my day and end my day in the Word. But, I also try to meditate on a passage each day. I like your suggested places to look online. I’ll be checking them out for sure.
Thanks, Marsha. We could learn a lot from the ancient church – and one of them is set times of prayer throughout the day.