Study 5. Rhythm

I started skipping, jumping rope about a year ago. Nothing flash, just plodding along in my back garden on the patio. The idea was that as a busy family I needed to find the time to do some sort of fitness. Rapidly approaching 40 I had decided that at 40 I would be the fittest version of me ever. As the time rolled on I was skipping every morning for 10 minutes, then in the evening for another 10 minutes. This gradually increased over time and so did the tricks, sorry I mean the additional skipping moves. In the end I was skipping 30 minutes in the morning, 30 in the evening and throwing in as many double under’s and cross overs as I could. 

So what I hear you ask, this was about praying! 

In the Bible, time and time again we see Jesus setting a rhythm in prayer. It is important to remember that Jesus did and said lots of things for the benefit of those around him. When people were healed just by touching his clothing or praying out loud in public. Jesus explained it or made it public when if we are honest, he really didn’t need to.  Point was we needed to see it. 

Often in the Bible the disciples, Jesus mates wake up or are looking for Jesus and the Bible tells us that Jesus had withdrawn to somewhere alone to pray. Early in the morning he was doing this, on walks and taking himself up mountains to be alone and prayer 

In establishing this rhythm of praying, Jesus was showing his friends the model, ‘do it like this lads.’  I honestly think it was that simple. We really don’t need to get this all technical and difficult, we just follow what Jesus was doing. A rhythm of prayer.

Now, you may not have a mountain, you might work nightshifts or start work at 5am so praying and finding that rhythm ‘exactly’ as Jesus did is difficult. You might find that even when you find the time and space your mind drifts to work, or family or what’s for breakfast. 

Back to jumping rope, persevere. There is an element to this that will seem deeply unspiritual, and I am ok with that, Sometimes, prayer will need you to stop bumping your gums and being half hearted and just keep going with it. If the mind wanders call it back to pray and the stuff you were talking to God about. Simple. 

Use a prayer guide or format to help you pray and be creative about it. If you are struggling to find the time be creative. I was hooked on EastEnders for a while (a terrible TV show, for any readers outside the UK) I decided to use my EastEnders time for prayer. Sorted. 

The times I have just pressed on and refused to give up, even when I missed some days and messed up my routine, I have sensed the closest times in my own walk of faith with God. Sometimes this will be about you being resilient, even when praying feels dry and pointless. Set a good rhythm.