For those of you still preparing for Y2K, Twitter is a way to express a thought through a smartphone or another device. Twitter claims 974 million accounts: 247 million are active. Facebook boasts of 1.23 billion active accounts. This says nothing of the billions of emails, Snapchat, and other forms of communication. In short, a lot of people are talking. We’ve always been talking; it’s what we do, only now we have a forum to express our every thought. The danger, of course, is that there are no filters.
While there is some variance, Pew Research shows that people check their social media accounts numerous times per day and some have it on constantly through sound alerts. This means that they are “talking” continuously. Statistics also show an increase in contracts with counselors, life-coaches, psychiatrists, and other listening helpers. People are talking.
All this is probably reasonable. We are relational beings and it does follow suit that we would express ourselves; our feelings; triumphs and anxieties. Communication is part and parcel of the human experience. What I’m troubled about is the last report: Fewer Christians in all denominations say they pray less often than they did in prior years. While statistical sampling often concerns me, I will say that consecrated prayer has faded since 9/11.
My hope is that this year will be one of concentration on healthy marriages and homes; devotion to the church in attendance; and a revival of new souls. And knowing that this is God’s direction for our lives, it will only come when we seek God through prayer. So since we are all talking, why don’t we use some of that time and effort to speak to God through prayer. Start out your day and year the way David did when he wrote: Psalm 63:1 “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek…”
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole