Have you ever thought of your time of daily prayer as a time of worship?

The passage above is something Jesus said to a Samaritan woman He met at a well. In this conversation, Jesus breaks all kinds of norms for the culture. Normally, Jews didn’t associate with Samaritans. Also, Jewish men didn’t typically speak to women in public, even their own wives. Now, Jesus is about to upset the applecart again as He answers her question.

Where should we worship?
She had asked where she should worship. She’s not asking whether she should attend this local synagogue or that one. The Samaritans primary place of worship was on Mount Gerizim. The Jews said the only legit place to worship was at the Temple in Jerusalem.

Jesus’ response is that the Jews were right, but there’s something more important. It’s not about the place you worship. It’s about worshiping in spirit and in truth.

Prayer is part of our worship.

As Jesus said about worship, there is no one place that we should pray. There aren’t places where prayers are stronger or more powerful. It’s not like the altar is an antenna and the closer we are to the altar the better reception God has. Prayer isn’t about the place we are, but the God who hears them…and He hears them no matter where you are. If you’re in the car, at home, at church, in nature, or in school before a test, God hears your prayer.

Where to Pray:
Yes, it’s good to gather for worship and pray in a church worship service, but this isn’t the only place to worship and thus not the only place to pray. 

I’ve known people who love to go hiking or camping and love the pray when they are in nature. Sometimes, when I’m planning a series or wanting to seek God about the future of my church, Faith, I drive out a lake and sit on the bank to pray.

Of course, you may also pray before meals, pray before an important phone call, pray in bed before you get up or before you go to sleep.

In fact, the Bible says we should pray without ceasing. We’ll talk more about that in a future devotion, but the basic idea is to always have an attitude of prayer, to always be ready to pray. Prayer should be our first instinct no matter where we are.

So, where are you now? God hears your prayers here, too. So, why not pray now?

Heavenly Father,

You are the God of all creation. You hear me no matter where I am or what is happening around me. Today, I lift my praises and concerns to you and ask that You be with me. Protect me and guide me. May I glorify You in all that I do.

Amen

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.