Make Time Each Day for Spiritual Growth

The world requires us to live our lives, each day, at a speed that does not easily allow us to hear or recognize the things of God. Our schedules are full of things which are good, but are not spiritually nourishing.

Our physical bodies have a nearly constant need for sustenance and nourishment. They provide strong reminders for us each time those needs are not properly met. Just as our bodies do not passively receive water and food, we cannot expect to have strong and healthy spirits by listlessly and occasionally considering the role that God plays in our daily lives. We must make it a priority to connect with Heaven on a daily basis through earnest prayer, and diligent scripture study.

Prayer:

President Ezra Taft Benson has taught: "If we would advance in holiness - increase in favor with God - nothing can take the place of prayer...Give prayer - daily prayer, secret prayer - a foremost place in your lives. Let no day pass without it."

Throughout the Standard Works, we are told to pray always. Just in a handful fo verses in the Doctrine + Covenants we are told that if we pray always we may conquer Satan (D+C 10:5), receive the Spirit, and blessings even more than the treasures of the earth (D+C 19:38), enter not into temptation (D+C 61:39). And if we "search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for [our] good, if [we] walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted one with another." (D+C 90:24)

In a talk titled Pray Always, Elder David A. Bednar teaches "There may be things in our character, in our behavior, or concerning our spiritual growth about which we need to counsel with Heavenly Father in morning prayer. After expressing appropriate thanks for blessings received, we plead for understanding, direction, and help to do the things we cannot do in our own strength alone...Such a prayer is a key part of spiritual preparation for our day."

Scripture Study:  

President Henry B. Eyring said "Going to the scriptures to learn what to do makes all the difference. The Lord can teach us. The Lord seemed to anticipate all of our problems and all of our needs, and He put help in the scriptures for us - if only we seek it."

So if we cannot expect to fit these things into the background of our busy routines, how can we find time to connect with our Heavenly Parents, and the guidance and blessings they have available for us? Well, unfortunately we cannot just find the time; it isn't sitting around waiting for us. As with all things of value, we must do the work to get to it.

Here are 5 things you can do to make the time for yourself, and your relationship with deity.

1. Schedule it (or it will not happen)

I used to feel that setting an alarm for spiritual growth felt forged and insincere, but the truth is, it is necessary - at least for me. How many things in your day are set on a schedule? How many things do you have written down somewhere, or have reminders and alarms set for? Many of us can't even wake up and get out of bed to start a day without an alarm to encourage (force) us up. It's nice to assume that "if it's really important to me, I will remember to get it done", but as we know, the Spirit speaks in a still small voice, while most other things in life are yelling for our attention. 

Try placing a note, or an object of some kind, near your bed to remind you how important it is to start and end each day with prayer. The more often you do it, the more valuable it will become to you, and eventually it will likely become a natural and immovable part of your life, but if it's not that way at the beginning, that's okay. 

2. Let others see you reading your scriptures

I know that some days it feels like we can never find quiet moments for ourselves - whether we're at home with kids, at school studying, or at work, we live our lives surrounded by other people (unless there's a global pandemic happening, of course). In my experience, the Lord doesn't always need you to be in a quiet place to hear Him, He just needs you to set aside a quiet moment. So let the people you're surrounded by see you reading the word of God, through scripture study. No book or article will get you closer to Heavenly Father, as quickly as The Book of Mormon.

I don't always read my scriptures while my kids are awake and running around, but sometimes I do. And when I do, I like to let them know what I'm doing and what I'm reading. I hope that this will help them see that what I'm doing is important to me, and and essential part of my busy day, and that maybe one day they will remember seeing me read from The Book of Mormon often. 

3. Do what you can, and ask the Lord to consecrate your efforts

If you're at a study table at the library and only have a couple minutes in between classes, pull up the scriptures on your laptop or phone screen. If you're sitting and feeding a baby, and know that the moment he is done you will be hauled off the couch and on to the next activity. If you're on a lunch break at work, and looking for a way to pass the time. If you are interested in connecting with, and learning from, Heaven at any point in your day, it only takes a couple of intentional minutes. Begin with a prayer, offering what little time and resources you might have available in that moment, and ask the Lord to consecrate those, for your good. 

I can't tell you how many times I've had to just squeeze in a five to ten minute reading, of only a few versus, amid interruptions, but have managed to read even just one verse that speaks to me. I have asked (even begged) my Heavenly Father, on several occasions, to take what I am able to give, and make it more. And even those small offerings have been enough to find an answer to my prayers. 

4. Live worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost

This may seem like an obvious answer, but it is so important. If we are looking for a chance to connect with Heaven, we need to be worthy of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. God answers prayers in all kinds of ways, and sometimes it's not enough just to sit down and ask Him a question, and wait for the answer. It requires effort and time receive His counsel. So live your life and spend your time in way that allows you to feel the Spirit speak to you, whenever and however He needs to. 

5. Do not take prayer for granted

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we have been taught to pray routinely at least 5 times a day - morning, three meals, and night. If we took only those opportunities to say a prayer, that is 5 times per day that we are able to connect with Heaven, and feel close to God. But how many of those times have become too normal, and even mundane? I have rushed through hundred of prayers, just saying the words as quickly as possible before I fall asleep, or my children starve and start eating anyway. 

If we really take the time to consider what it is we are doing, who we are speaking with, and why we are doing it, we could turn each one of those mundane moments, into sublime moments for conversation with a Father in Heaven.  

Journal Prompts:

Why is it important to me to spend time connecting with God each day? 

Is there an activity in my day right now that could be replaced by scripture study?

Is there a big topic or question I'd like to focus my study on right now? 

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Sources:

Seeking Spiritual Experiences Daily by Tiffany Tolman
Pray Always by Elder David A. Bednar