Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made to all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we made lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV)

It’s not often I get excited about working out, exercising or doing physical activity. I’m not wired to enjoy the outdoors (too many bugs live there) and I’m not fond of sweating. However, in the past few years I’ve found myself gravitating toward long walks, bike rides and short hikes in the mountains. The biggest surprise though, came when I signed myself up for a Zumba class.

I was as shocked as anyone when I found myself on Tuesday evenings sweating, dancing and getting my heart rate up while having the best time. It barely mattered to me that I looked completely ridiculous (I really have no rhythm) and my dancing looks like a combination of an electrocution during an earthquake. No matter. I was having fun!

Until the next morning.

Muscles that hadn’t been used in years were so sore and painful I could hardly get out of bed. Every movement was a reminder of what I had done and overdone the day before. It took a few days before the soreness went away, but the next week I was back at it, dancing, flailing away and having a ball.

Our spiritual lives can be like that. We forget to exercise our prayer muscles sometimes and forget to talk to the Lord. Life gets busy, hectic and prayer gets pushed aside. Until we jump into prayer and worship full force one day and it can use muscles in our soul that haven’t been warmed up in awhile. Don’t despair and give up when your prayers aren’t answered and you don’t see results right away. It takes time. There might be some soreness in your soul as your get back into worship and quiet time. When we use something that hasn’t been used in awhile it can feel awkward at first.

But God never feels weird hearing from us. Our words to Him may feel scripted and strained to us, but His perfect, holy ears are always ready to hear from us. The momentary soreness will soon give way to the daily ease of talking to God.

If you’ve been out of touch with the Lord lately, take just a moment and praise Him for something that’s important to you. Thanking God is still prayer and He longs to hear our praises. Soon the praises might give way to prayers from the deep part of your heart and the relationship you’ve longed for with our Heavenly Father will be strengthened.

Thank You Heavenly Father that You are always ready to hear my prayers. Your Word says that You never slumber or sleep (Psalm 121:4) so I know I can count on You to listen when I need You. When I fall away because of a busy life or heavy emotions I look to You. Please strengthen my soul, lift me up and draw me back to You. In the Name above all Names, Jesus. Amen!