Do you snack between meals? Probably.

Americans spend 135 billion annually on snacks—almost $500 per person. And get this—44% of us spend more on snack food than Netflix. Snacks account for more than a quarter of U.S. food and beverage spending.

As a toddler, our daughter Lynnette was the poster child for snackers. It got to the point where my wife set out a Cheerios-inspired yellow bowl with snacks to tame Lynnette's appetite. She snacked her way through the day. And so do many of us.

But are we that hungry for God's presence? How many of us PRAY our way through the day?

It was the old radio preacher Bob Cook who I first heard share that phrase, which is anchored in Ephesians 6:18,  "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints." In other words, this verse is saying, "Pray your way through the day."

Before you open the mail—say a prayer. (There could be good news—or bad!).

Before you answer the phone—say a prayer. (You don't know who might be on the other end of the call, desperate for encouragement).

Before you hit “send” on that text or email—say a prayer. (You might end up NOT hitting send!).

Before you walk in the door after work to greet your spouse—say a prayer.

(You don't know what they've been through, what comfort they need).

Yes, we need times of extended, quiet prayer with God—say first thing in the morning. But the temptation (for me at least) is to then “check prayer off the list.”  Instead, let’s learn to pray our way through the day.

I’m hardly a Jedi knight at this, but when I choose to live this lifestyle, I am…

         •        More at peace

         •        Less irritable

         •        More poised to notice others’ needs and encourage them.

Pray your way through the day. Try it! It feels like you're having an extended conversation with Jesus—like you never really leave his presence. Isn't that the way we're supposed to live the Christian life?

Thomas Watson reminds us, “The angel fetched Peter out of prison, but it was prayer that fetched the angel.”

Pray your way through the day!

https://nielseniq.com/global/en/insights/education/2024/state-of-snacking/

https://talkbusiness.net/2019/12/americans-spend-almost-500-annually-on-snack-foods/

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/44-americans-spend-more-snacks-130215223.html

https://www.marketplace.org/story/2024/02/09/many-americans-are-snacking-more-but-looking-for-bargains-in-the-snack-aisle