I have no valid excuses for my slacking off on posting. I do try to say at least one of the offices every day, but haven’t lately had time (taken time?) to post any thing.

Habits are hard to make and easy to break. I think it was Martin Luther who said he who has no time to pray should pray twice as long. Wonderful advice! This morning I took my time with morning prayer, placed myself where there were no distractions and let the words of scripture and these beautiful prayers remind me of how much I need this time.

A portion of Psalm 119 is appointed for today. These words rang true:

“I hate those who have a divided heart, *
but your law do I love.  You are my refuge and shield; *
my hope is in your word. 
Away from me, you wicked! *
I will keep the commandments of my God. 
Sustain me according to your promise, that I may live, *
and let me not be disappointed in my hope. ”

A divided heart may merely mean divided time, or misguided priorities. The world needs more prayer, not less, more devotion, not less, more of our time spent with God instead of spent on other things. It has always been so. The reading today from Joel continues the thought:

“Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. ”

May all of us, with all our undivided hearts, return to the Lord. Our spiritual disciplines of prayer and study light the path back to God.