What does prayer, worship and scriptures mean to u?

I just read Pastor Joel's blog and it's really enlightening, especially his last post.

Seriously, reflecting on my own actions and mindset, i honestly must say that i've undermined the importance of prayer, worship and the scriptures.

How many of us out there actually read the bible daily? And when we read the Word, do we read it word by word and digest it or do we just treat it like a story book?

Although i do read a little of the bible every day before i go to bed, i admit i've not really digested it..or rather i read it for the sake of reading it...which is wrong. We need God's word everyday, every minute, every second. It's like food for us. We need to constantly read and reflect upon it to keep up our spiritual walk with Him. As far as i know, some of us would give an excuse and say, 'NO TIME'. or they would say, 'I'd rather spend my time doing other things than reading the bible' like sleeping or watching tv. Our hectic schedules, our activities..are they more important than God? PJ's right in saying that we should stop undermining the Word. We shouldn't just depend on sermons every sunday, thinking hearing the sermons wld be fully essential. Pastor Joel said something really enlightening which i think shld be shared..

"But isn't that what lazy people do when they claim they get feeding best from sermons alone?Sermons are exposited thoughts of the various pastors and speakers - we grew while we wrote them - and you will grow partially from our thoughts on Scripture.But we can't be chewing your food for you once a week - what about Mon - Sun?What about every morning and evening?"

and this question which he posed, struck me, "Would you like to chew your food yourself? Or would you like the pastor to chew it for you and then spit it out so that you can swallow it?"

I admit there are times when i attend sermons and don't listen to it seriously...meaning..one ear in, one ear out. I admit there are times i do listen to the sermons but did not carry it in my heart for the rest of the week, but rather just put it to heart on that sunday only. I've been a bad disciple of Christ...my hardened heart needs to be softened.

What about prayer? Many a times, i tell my friends that i'll pray for them. But then prayer is not a one time thing. It needs to be consistent too...and i am guilty of it. Coz there are times when i pray only at that instant..and then stop praying for that person the next day...Prayer is not a chore. It's a direct communication to God and we should feel really thankful for every opportunity to talk to God. Sometimes i wish God has a handphone..(or maybe He already has one!) so i can just sms Him or call Him everyday and i would be able to hear His voice. Won't that be cool? Prayers shouldn't be undermined too. Many a times, I would pray after reading the bible..but my prayer usually cuts halfway and i'ld be in dreamland. Sigh, thats really bad coz when i wake up the next day, i can't remember wad i prayed for, and whether i actually said a prayer! I realy need to change this habit...prayer should be said not only when we are in need, but rather...even in times of joy! God is really willing to hear everything that happens in our life, even the smallest and most unimportant thing =)

How about worship? I'm guilty of that too...Are we worshipping just because we enjoy listening to the songs? Will we worship with the same kind of jest and emotions even though its hyms and not contemporary songs like hillsongs? Do we prefer worshipping with modern songs rather than hyms? If we have a preference, then its wrong. We shouldn't have. Worship is not about the songs.. Like wad PJ said, worship is the expression of our hearts to God. I guess most of us tend to feel spiritually closer to God during worship..but when worship ends..do we continue to feel the same, especially for the week ahead after the sunday worship service? I'm one such victim. How about u? We should always bear in mind that worship is NOT about the songs. I think that's very very important.

Reading the bible is not supposed to be boring..Saying a prayer is not supposed to be a chore...Given a choice of reading the bible and watching your favourite television show, which would u choose? Are we giving less priority to the Word when it's something so important that keeps our spirit living? I'm thorougly guilty especially after reading PJ's post. I need to change...i know it would take time but i've gotta start changing. If there's no starting point, i would end up no where...

I hope everyone would stop underming the importance of prayer, scriptures and worship =) It might not be easy, but God is with us. If He's with us, there's nothing we cannot do. ;) God blesss you!