By Maya Spinler | Contributing writer 

Getting back into the routine of school is hard and busy. More often than not, this busyness makes us lazy in our relationship with God and we only call on Him when we are sitting in class about to take an exam that we do not feel prepared for. But because we love Him and His presence is the thing our hearts desire, here are a few ideas to make sure God is part of your day:

1.     Pray outside of Him being the last resort

Prayerlessness is the ultimate arrogance. When we do not talk to God regularly, it communicates a lack of dependence. Praying does not have to look like kneeling on your dorm floor babbling for hours on end; most of praying is listening. It can be as simple as thanking God for your DC pizza, blessing your residence hall when you are on your way to your classes or practicing thankfulness for being able to learn the material that is driving you crazy. What I find myself doing throughout the day is asking God “Lord, please, take these hands, take this heart, would you use me like you’ve wanted to.” I am a firm believer that daily communion with God is imperative to leading a godly life. I want to be available to be used at a moment’s notice, confident in my recognition of his voice and who He has revealed Himself to be. 

2.     Bring God up in daily conversation

Topics of daily conversation are created habitually; the more you talk about something, the more natural it will feel to bring it up. When bringing up God to my friends regularly, there is reciprocal accountability. The more we talk about God, the less tempted we are to bring up gossip, complaints or any other type of toxic conversation. There’s so much to learn from other’s walks with God and it is our responsibility to build up other believers and motivate each other (Heb. 10:24-25).

3.     Read God’s word in that “in-between” time

Do you get to class early? Instead of scrolling through Instagram, try reading a quick chapter. Something I like to do is read my Bible in the morning on my phone in the DC or whenever I am sitting alone waiting for a friend. While you are building muscle in the gym, build up your spiritual muscles by having the Bible app read to you during your sets. Join a Bible reading plan with a friend (the Bible app has some great ones to choose from). Post scripture verses up on your desk and let them encourage you when it’s 2 a.m. and that essay needs to get done.

4.     Worship alone

Practicing worshipping alone not only builds you up as you praise your King, but makes you more comfortable worshipping in public. Shameless adoration comes from a place of security in who you are and in who you know your God is. The most incredible encounters I have had with God were worshipping alone on the floor of my room. Turn some worship music on in your dorm when your roomie is in class and sing along, go sit in your car and turn it up or go take your guitar or other instrument and find an unoccupied place outside to play. Bob Kauflin, author of Worship Matters once wrote, “…music isn’t an end in itself but rather a means of expressing the worship already present in our hearts through the new life we’ve received in Jesus Christ.”

In the end, it is all about our hearts. If we want God to be prioritized, He will be. God wants you; He loves you very, very much. Engaging with Him daily simply shows Him we feel the same way.