Saint Francis de Sales reportedly once said, “Every one of us needs half an hour of prayer each day except when we are busy—then we need an hour.” At first this phrase seems counterintuitive, but upon closer reflection it holds profound wisdom. If we are hungry, we do not say, “I am too busy to eat today.” We make time to eat. If we are thirsty, we do not say, “I am too busy to drink water today.” We make time to drink. If we are feeling short of breath, we do not say, “I don’t need so much air in my lungs today!” We make time to sit down and catch our breath.

So, if we are feeling busy, overwhelmed, and spiritually depleted, why then would we make less time for spiritual nourishment rather than more? Prayer is food for our spirits, thirst-quenching water for our souls, and the fresh air we need for our spiritual survival. Prayer grounds our lives in the word of God, in our relationship with God, and in our awareness of the presence of Christ in each person we meet.

How will you make time to pray—to sit at the feet of Jesus, to feast on the fruit of God’s word, to be the hope of glory, and to trust in God’s steadfast love? I encourage you to explore refreshing new prayer possibilities—contemplative coloring, prayer beads, yoga, centering prayer, or cell phone sabbath. Whatever your prayer practice may be, embrace it fully and allow it to feed the presence of Christ in you so that you can be the presence of Christ in the world.