CAN'T PRAY?

I was amused by the following email - but it really made me think! I'll share the emailed message - then the thoughts....

After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said:
'Let me see if I've got this right.

'You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning.

'You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride.

'You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a chequebook, and apply for a job.

'You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the final exams.

'You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Spanish or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.

'You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps.

'You want me to do all this and then you tell me . . . I Can't Pray!

We still have the freedom to pray in our own homes, and in our churches, and publicly in the right settings. The freedom to pray publicly in school has definitely been hampered - but I have to acknowledge, I wouldn't want every religion to get their 'turn' praying public prayers in school. The reality is, the cultural landscape of the United States of America has changed - drastically.

What this email nudged in me was the reminder that I don't exercise my freedom to pray as faithfully as I could. There have been seasons of life when I have been very faithful in setting aside specific prayer time daily - and others when I've just prayed on the run...while I do dishes, while I ride my exercise bike, while I vacuum... I pray throughout the day, the popcorn prayers, and prayers for people or situations as they come to my mind - but I need to rediscipline myself to spend quality time alone with God in dedicated prayer time.

I study daily. I pray daily. But I need to be shut in with God. It's a failing I am convicted of. It's time to discipline myself to being shut in with God to pray! It's time! Lord, with Your help!