Progress makes a difference

No matter how small, it’s still a progress.

I freely acknowledge that I am not unique among those who strongly believe in God yet do not attend church every Sunday. I pray differently than what is expected and what I was taught growing up. I have always given a little thought to these things in recent years. That is, until I told myself that in 2024, I have to do something different for myself. I prefer that everything always begins within us and works its way forth. Yes, without a doubt.

I don't know; perhaps it just happened. I know my faith is strong, and I'm trying to convince myself that it is, even though it's ironic to think that, but I haven't spent more than ten minutes in prayer—that is, a prayer in which you speak to God in depth and share everything that life has taught you about turning into an adult. On the other hand, I could say that someone is praying for me up above to at least turn myself back to God.

I've created a daily practice in which I pray for at least two to three minutes as soon as I wake up and for an additional two to three minutes before bed. In just two months, this practice was gradually increased to five minutes, then ten. I started small and no matter how small it is, it’s still a progress. These days, I'm proud that it's hard for me to go even 15 minutes without praying; this change was not just caused by myself but by God, who made these things possible.

The next thing to do is to make a habit of going to church every Sunday. When life really hits you, a lot of things will just come up and try to compel you to do all these things, and I felt that I was going astray. There is a distinction between praying only to get what you desire and praying because you understand that God is the one who is in charge of your life.