I didn’t start setting alarms on my phone to pray because I was super disciplined or spiritually “on it.”
I did it because I kept forgetting. Forgetting to pause. Forgetting to thank God. Forgetting that I could talk to Him anytime, not just when life slowed down.
Somewhere between the mess of everyday life, the responsibilities, the noise, and the constant moving, prayer started to feel rushed. Or worse, reserved for “later.” So I tried something simple: I started setting prayer alarms on my phone.
Not reminders to ask God for things. But reminders to thank Him. And honestly? It changed my praying game.
What My Prayer Alarms Actually Look Like
I don’t just have one alarm. I set alarms every four hours, starting at 7 a.m. and continuing all the way until 11 p.m. They go off in the middle of real life:
- In the middle of work
- In the middle of errands
- In the middle of cooking
- In the middle of stress
And that’s the point. Because a relationship with God isn’t meant to only exist early in the morning before the mess or late at night after the chaos. It’s meant to exist during it all.
Don’t Snooze It, Pause for a Minute
Here’s the important part: I don’t snooze the alarm. Not because I’m perfect, but because I’ve learned something. When that alarm goes off, I stop what I’m doing. Even if it’s inconvenient. Even if it’s not a “good time.”
And honestly? Most of the time, there are things we can pause for one minute. One minute to acknowledge God. One minute to say thank you. One minute to reconnect. It’s not about long prayers or perfect words. It’s about choosing relationship over routine. It does not matter the place, you don’t have to get on your knees to pray, you can simply close your eyes and pray. He’s there, He hears you.
Gratitude Changed the Way I Pray
What surprised me most wasn’t how often I prayed, but how different my prayers became. When I stopped only coming to God with requests and started coming to Him with gratitude, my perspective shifted. I began noticing more. Recognizing His hand more. Acknowledging His presence more. Thanking God for:
- Protection I didn’t see coming
- Strength I didn’t realize I had
- Provision that showed up quietly
- Peace in the middle of stress
Gratitude didn’t just change my prayers, it deepened my relationship with Him.
Relationship Happens in the Middle, Not the Margins
This is what really hit me: A relationship with God isn’t built only in quiet, uninterrupted moments.
It’s built in the middle of everyday life. When my alarm goes off and I pause to thank Him, I’m reminding myself that God isn’t waiting for my life to slow down. He’s already here. Walking with me through the noise, the pressure, the joy, and the mess.
God Wants Consistency, Not Perfection
My prayer alarms didn’t make me a “better” Christian. They made me more aware. Aware that God is always accessible. Aware that gratitude keeps my heart soft. Aware that relationship grows through consistency, not perfection.
Some prayers are deep. Some are simple. Some are just, “Thank You for getting me through today.” And that’s enough.
A Gentle Encouragement
If prayer feels rushed…
If gratitude keeps getting pushed aside…
If you want a deeper relationship with God but don’t know where to start…
Try setting a simple alarm. Not to pressure yourself. Not to perform. But to pause. Because when we choose to stop, even for one minute, and thank Him, we invite God into every part of our day. And that’s where real relationship is built.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I need this,” you’re not alone. I’d love to know, have you ever tried setting prayer reminders? Or is prayer something you’ve been wanting to be more consistent with but life keeps getting in the way?
Drop a comment and share.
Holy mess 