Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.

- Psalm 1:1-3

It's not complicated. If we don't pray, we won't grow.

In this psalm, the poet paints a picture of someone slowing down ... not walking, not standing, not even sitting ... but meditating with delight, sinking roots down deep into the ground of God's word. 

A vision for a prayer-filled life roots us. Every day we have an opportunity to walk in ways that harm us and stand in places that hurt us and sit in company that corrupts us. But every day we also have an opportunity ... dozens and dozens of opportunities, actually ... to anchor ourselves more tightly to the Lord.

The Lord is our stream. All our fountains are in him. He's our source of comfort and nourishment and growth. In prayer, we focus on him. In prayer, we plant ourselves where there's life.

Throughout history, God's people have meditated on his word in prayer.

Try this exercise today.

• Write Psalm 1:1-3 out on a card or piece of paper.
• Say to God "Please speak to me as I read."
• Slowly read the verses out loud. Read them through three or four times.
• Pause and ask yourself: "Is there anything God brought to my attention today, anything I need to remember or do?"
• If there is, write it down. If there isn't, say to God "Though I'm moving on to other things, I'm still rooted in you. Amen."

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