In some ways, it has never been easier to pray.
My coffee maker is on a timer. My thermostat is programmed to different temperatures for night and day. My computer screen even dims to a softer hue as the day progresses.
I don’t have to remember these tasks. Today’s technology allows me to simply set a timer or program and forget about it, like the old Ronco Rotisseries infomercials that promised the luxury of being able to “set it and forget it!”
Many years ago, before the advent of electricity and Daylight Savings Time, a “set it and forget it” approach to prayer was embedded in people’s lives.
The sun rose every morning and reminded God’s people to pray. The sun reached its apex in the sky at noon and reminded God’s people to pray. The sun set every evening and reminded God’s people to pray.
This rhythm is reflected in David’s lyrics:
Evening and morning and at noon
I utter my complaint and moan,
and he hears my voice. (Psalm 55:17, ESV)
However, our lives no longer revolve around the sun, so to speak. Our routines are more connected to computers and smart phones than they are to the changing light of day.
But that also provides us with the luxury of being able to pray “set it and forget it” prayers:
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Set a daily alarm in your smart phone to remind you to pray.
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Schedule alerts for prayer times in your computer or smartphone calendar.
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Subscribe via email or blog reader to a prayer service or blog. (My One Prayer a Day blog posts a single prayer each morning.)
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Download an app that allows you to set reminders. Examples include my recent “31 Ways to Pray for Your Children” and the “Our Prayer” app by Guideposts which provides a daily Scripture and "time to's" pray, think and act.
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Subscribe to a prayer podcast you can listen to while driving, walking–or even while falling asleep (your smartphone podcast player may even allow you to set a sleep timer).
These are just a few ideas, but I hope they will get your creative juices flowing. Do you plan to try “set it and forget it” prayer? Do you already do this? If so, please share your tricks and techniques in the comments field below.
