Right now, whether you wrote it down or not, you have a list of priorities for this next day. There are certain things that you will make sure to do. Where does prayer fit in with your priorities?

It’s all too easy to neglect prayer as you address the other priorities in daily life. I often find myself replacing prayer time with busyness. (And skipping prayer often increases our busyness.) It is common for Christians to feel guilty about the way they practice (or don’t practice) prayer.

But God doesn’t want guilt to be your motivation to pray. He invites you to pray because of what prayer does for you. It helps you visualize the presence of a gracious God who so wanted to be in your life that his Son laid down his life for you.

In case you’re looking for some encouragement, James shows a different way to think about prioritizing prayer: “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:13,14).

According to James, prayer isn’t just another thing to do. Prayer is the means by which everything is done. Whether you are suffering, celebrating, or sick, any occasion is an occasion to pray.