SO GOOD QUOTES

2. A Designated Time

New habits and behaviors have become widespread these days among believers concerning prayer. For example, some of us often turn to prayer during driving a car, or while walking to work or from work, or even during work itself, or during the preparation of food or any other housework.

It is good for a person to pray always as the Holy Scripture commands us, but it is not good that this be the only time for prayer, and that this be the only way for prayer. There must necessarily be a designated time for prayer, as there should also be a designated place for prayer.

When I have an important matter and I need to make this matter known to God, is it fitting that I speak with God on this important matter while I am preoccupied with many other things I am doing at the same time? I absolutely need to designate time for this important matter, and also need a quiet place suitable for this purpose.

Tell me, brethren, can you, for example, take a shower on your way to work? Unfortunately, you do have a designated time for taking a shower, and a special place also for this purpose. Nevertheless, you complain that you neither have time nor a designated place for prayer.

Also, when you are having a conversation with a friend or anyone on the phone, then this person feels that you are not giving him your attention during the conversation, so he asks you, “Why are you not paying attention to me? Are you busy?” You answer him, saying, “Yes, I am busy, indeed.” He says to you, “Give me only a few minutes of your time, so that I can talk with you. Please give me some of your attention.” Similarly, when you are speaking with someone who is reading a newspaper and who does not want to lift his eyes from it to you, to listen to you, you feel that this person is paying you no attention. So you say to yourself that since this person is paying me no attention, I cannot talk with him. Also I will not sit again with him. Do you want God to say the same words about you?

The same thing exactly could happen with respect to the one who prays only while driving the car, cooking the food, or during any other daily routine duties. Therefore, there must also be a designated time and a quiet place for prayer.

—H.E. Metropolitan Youssef, How to Pray