How to Keep Praying When You Are Busy

Are you so busy that you forget to pray? I understand how this feels. Today I have encouragement and practical tips for you to help you keep praying when you are busy.

I tend to beat myself up for not praying as often as I like. Then I am hard on myself for not praying as long as I wish I could.

I’m learning that any time I invest in prayer is good in God’s eyes. All of my prayers matter, even if they are on the go. What matters most is that I’m praying in any way possible.

If you are curious about how to keep praying when you are busy, here are things you need to remember based on James 5:16-18 NIV:

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a human being, even as we are.
He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.
Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

It’s important to believe in the power of prayer so you’ll stick with it even in busy seasons. This passage reminds us why it’s important to be prayerful.

How to Keep Praying When You Are Busy

Here are my best tips to help you keep praying when you are busy.

1. Remember that your prayers are important.

Your prayers are powerful and effective, according to this passage. James also provided the example of Elijah, whose prayers for rain blessed many people. You simply don’t know how God will use the prayers you offer for yourself and others.

Your prayers for your own spiritual growth are important. Pray daily that you will trust your Heavenly Father more, that you will have the mind and actions of Jesus, and that the Holy Spirit will bear more fruit in you. It’s not only okay to pray for yourself, it’s essential!

Keep a sticky note or list in your phone of needs for your spiritual growth, and pray over them a few minutes every day. Pair this with a 5- or 10-minute reading of the Bible, and you’ll be well-equipped for the intentional Christian life.

2. Remember to pray for others.

Praying for others is important too. James tells us that our prayers for others can heal them. Our prayers for others can bless them as well. Praying for others every day is a big deal to God.

I remember to pray for others by displaying their photos in my home. I also pray for my husband and children when I get ready in the morning. You can remember to pray for others by jotting their names in a prayer notebook, displaying photos, or setting reminders on your phone. I also pray for the worldwide church by speaking the names of the countries that manufactured my clothing when I put laundry away.

One of my friends divides her prayer requests up by the day of the week. You may benefit by organizing your prayers like this too. Dedicate one day to praying for your family, another for your workplace, another for your church, town, nation, etc. That way, you’ll cover all of your prayer needs on a weekly rotation.

3. Remember that every form of prayer counts.

Sometimes, I’m so busy that I simply offer a person’s name up in prayer without going into details. I used to think that type of prayer didn’t “count” as much as several sentences of prayer. But now, I remember that the Holy Spirit helps me in my weakness, and intercedes through wordless groans when I pray (Rom. 8:26). If you only have time to utter someone’s name in prayer, the Holy Spirit will cover the rest for you.

If you have a little more time to elaborate, you can speak a few sentences of prayer too. Just don’t be hard on yourself if you can’t come up with lots of words, or if you have lots of people on your prayer list. Trust God to take your loaves-and-fishes prayers, then multiply them in the heavenly places.

When you have a bit more time to pray, you may benefit from getting on your knees, closing your eyes, and bowing in reverence. This prayer position is wonderful when you have a heavy burden of prayer. I’ve used it many times to experience breakthrough. I’ve even used it for less than five minutes, and always left with a greater sense of peace. Kneeling in prayer is a time-honored position used by Daniel, Ezra, Paul and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. If you haven’t tried it before, take a few minutes this week to kneel while praying, and trust God with the results.

May these practical tips encourage you to keep praying even when you are busy. Any tips to share with me? Please leave a comment below!

Prayer

Heavenly Father,
I praise you for hearing my prayers!
I’m in awe that you consider my prayers powerful and effective.
I’m amazed that you use my prayers to bless and heal others.
May I follow Jesus’ example of spending daily time with you in prayer.
Remind me to pray for myself and others, even on busy days.
Show me which cues and practices will benefit my prayer life.
Help me trust that the Holy Spirit will fill in the gaps of my prayers.
I thank you in advance for the ways you will grow my prayer life this year.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

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