Including God in ALL You Do

October 23, 2024

If you want a close relationship with God, it can’t be done by just attending church once a week. It also can’t be done solely with daily Bible reading or what we call a daily “quiet time.”

Of course, both of these habits are beneficial to your relationship with God. But, He wants more than an appointment in your schedule. He wants to be included in every activity, every conversation, every problem, and even every thought.

Scripture instructs us to, “Never stop praying” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT). 

Sounds like a lot, right? It’s actually not overly complicated or even time consuming. Paul’s command in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing,” can be confusing. Obviously, it cannot mean we are to be in a head-bowed, eyes-closed posture all day long.

If all of the areas of your life were like a pie chart, to pray without ceasing simply means integrating God into all the slices of your life, rather than just having a “quiet time” slice. Your time with God and your conversations with God carry over into all the slices of your life, not just the 15 minutes you read the Bible.

Proverbs 3:6 tells us, “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

In ALL your ways, include God.

In every "slice of life."

When you’re working.

When you’re having conversations with friends

When you’re parenting.

You can include God in all of these facets of life.

A common misconception is that “spending time with God” means being alone with him. Of course, as Jesus modeled, you need time alone with God, but that is only a fraction of your waking hours. Everything you do can be “spending time with God” if he is invited to be a part of it and you stay aware of his presence.

You can carry on a continuous, open-ended conversation with God throughout your day, talking with him about whatever you are doing or thinking at that moment. The habit of “praying without ceasing” from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 means conversing with God while shopping, driving, working, or performing any other everyday task.

It’s being aware of God in every area, not just your “quiet time” area.

Time with God isn't limited to reading your Bible or a corporate worship service. 

You can talk to God and thank God in the car.

You can consult God over a business decision.

You can worship him while you do daily tasks.

You can marvel at his creation when you notice a sunset.

You can check in with him at any time during the day.

You can ask him to reveal his heart toward an issue you face. 

You can share with him your emotions and frustrations. 

You can unload your worries onto him the moment they pop into your head.

You can ask him for help at any hour. 

There’s countless ways to be aware of God and include him in your everyday life.

And, he wants you to connect with him throughout the day, not just for 15 minutes of quiet time.