The Lord just wants to hear from us. He’s looking for a sincere, still heart. He wants authentic people coming to Him in repentance and true worship.

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:5-6 ESV)

I sat on my exercise bike, pedaling nowhere fast, sweat dripping off my face as I brought my petitions before the Lord. Outside, the world was still as it wasn’t even 6 AM. Suddenly I wondered if He was offended that I was a wet mess of stinkyness as I chatted away to Him.

And I wondered if anyone else’s prayer time looked like this – certainly not the way I had seen so many ‘quiet times’ displayed on Pinterest; open crisp Bibles laid out picturesquely on ironed linen table clothes, with hot fresh coffee steaming from unchipped mugs. While there are times of prayer when I feel called to sit quietly, most of the time my life is full and crazy busy, so I take my prayers with me wherever I go.

Years ago, my best time with the Lord was downstairs in our basement laundry room. My girls were young and didn’t like the musty smells so would actually give me a few minutes peace with no interruptions. There, amongst unmatched socks and rumpled piles of clothes begging to be ironed, I would cry out to Him as I fluffed and folded.

I think the Lord just wants to hear from us. He’s looking for a sincere, still heart – not a Pinterest-worthy still life. He wants authentic people coming to Him in repentance and true worship.

Lord, I thank You that You want us to come to You and start our days at Your feet. Please forgive us for any hypocrisy and help us to remember that You desire us to show up . . . just as we are. And for one reason only – for intimacy with You.