You reach for the alarm clock, searching for the snooze button yet again. As you lay in that half-comatose state, you vaguely remind yourself that today is the day you’re going to fit quiet time into your schedule. No if-and-or-buts. You’ve put it off too long, mentally flogging yourself each day that you forget. Your body, however, has different ideas, and you drift back into REM until the alarm clock jolts you awake again. Now you’ve seriously got to get out of bed, and your window for quiet time is gone.

The Bible reiterates the need for human beings to pray on a regular basis. Ecclesiastics says “Let nothing hinder thee from praying always� (18:22).

In the New Testament, Paul has a lot to say about prayer: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.� (Rom. 12:12); “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.� (Eph. 6:18); “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.� (Col. 4:2); “I desire therefore that men should pray in every place, lifting holy hands.� (1 Tim. 2:8). Finally, Paul delivers the ultimate idea about prayer: “Pray without ceasing� (Thessalonians 5:17).

Now, prayer without ceasing is a pretty high goal. Kudos to those people who can incorporate prayer throughout their daily lives â€" they are an inspiration to us all. For the rest of us still working on prayer without ceasing, a daily prayer and devotion time is a good goal for the moment.

Listed below are a few ideas to get you started.

1. Be Proactive:
In Stephen Covey’s highly acclaimed “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People�, he lists being proactive as the number 1 habit for success. Covey emphasizes that we need to control our environment, and not have our environment control us. Now, of course we can’t control our environment 100% of the time (that’s God’s job, isn’t it). We can, however, plan our day so we can work around the interruptions and emergencies that inevitably occur. If we don’t define a specific part of the day for devotions, chances are pretty darn good that it will just fall off our radar screen all together.

2. Write it Down:
Schedule your devotion time in your planner, whether it be paper or electronic. 6:45am â€" talk with God. 9:30pm â€" read the Bible. Be accountable with yourself and God â€" would you blow off an appointment with a friend? Goal experts usually recommend writing goals and appointments down, and being specific.

3. Find a Structure:
It’s easier to slip into your quiet time if you’ve got a routine set up for yourself. If your thing is to pray while you’re still in bed, read a passage of scripture, then sing a praise song in the shower â€" go for it. The next morning your brain won’t have to think about what to do and how to do it. Don’t be afraid to try new things, read new books, or listen to a new praise CD.

4. Tools:
Find tools that will help you make devotions routine. Many churches and organizations offer a monthly devotion guide, such as the Upper Room (www.upperroom.org/devotional) or Our Daily Bread (www.rbc.org). These are wonderful publications (especially if your time is limited) that give you a short scripture verse, additional scriptures to read on your own, and a short devotional. (Google “Christian daily devotions� to get a huge listing to other devotional sites.) A great high-tech alternative is to have a devotional e-mailed directly to your inbox every day. Christian bookstores have a multitude of personal bible studies that you can complete on your own schedule.

5. Listen:
Remember that with all our planning, God is still in control. Listen to His still, small voice and be flexible in your devotion time. Don’t be so rigid in your prayers that you miss out on the joy of spontaneity. If you think the spirit wants you to pray your entire quiet time, be open to it. Be receptive to what God is saying to you every day through His voice, the Word, and other people.

Dropping off the list to Number Six is to Relax: If you miss a quiet time, don’t beat yourself up about it. Get back up on the horse tomorrow -- God will be waiting for you. Make your quiet time an enjoyable experience, to help remind yourself to bring God into the center of your daily life.

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