Do we strive to make prayer a priority in our day?

Do you ever feel like you are rushing through life like the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland?
“I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date. No time to say ‘Hello, Goodbye.’ I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!” (Carroll). 
Life is hectic and too often we don’t make prayer a priority in our daily life. Maintaining a work-life balance while meeting all the needs of our family can be a challenge, but when we make time for God, life’s burdens seem to be a little lighter. 
As faithful Christians, we acknowledge that every day is a beautiful gift from God and that we are called to be good stewards of our time by spending time each day with God in prayer. By nurturing our relationship with God, we can have a clear understanding of God’s will for our lives. We are reminded of this throughout scripture, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Do we make prayer a priority in our day? How do we prioritize our time? All relationships take work. We may do our best to make time for our friends and loved ones on this earth, but do we make time to build our relationship with God? 
Finding the best time for a standing date with God is critical for consistency. After all, we are creatures of habit. Look at your schedule, at what point in your day do you seem to have time to scroll through social media or flip through shows on your TV? That could be a good time to set aside time for prayer. Once we set a realistic standing time for prayer in our day, we are more likely to follow through. We should look forward to a date with our Creator even more than we look forward to a date with our family or best friends. Our days may be busy, but thankfully God is flexible and rejoices in every minute we share with Him.
Don’t let the hectic nature of our busy world cause you anxiety. Slow down, take a deep breath, clear your mind and listen to the Lord’s words of wisdom. Don’t be like the white rabbit—make time to say hello and goodbye to our Heavenly Father every day. 
“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
­­— Shannon Roh is the Executive Director of the Office of Development and Stewardship for the Archdiocese of Mobile.