God As an Accountability Partner

Kimberly Novak invites you to reflect on how an accountability partner in prayer can strengthen your relationship with God.

I am the first to admit I suffer from “pulling the trigger” syndrome. In most instances, I respond in the moment's excitement rather than complete consideration. Sometimes this has resulted in a beautiful outcome, yet others left me in despair and disappointment. Acting in haste has its time and place, and for the most part, the decisions I make rapidly, I regret later. The only one I have to hold accountable for my choices is myself.

There are other times in life when we can have an accountability partner. Recently, I jumped at the chance for three free weeks with a health coach. Since I have some areas of my diet and exercise that could use tweaking, I felt this decision didn’t need too much thought. It is too early in the process to know if I will regret it, but the thought of having someone to keep me accountable in this realm of my life makes sense to me.

Only a few days in, I have noticed that I am making smarter daily food choices. I never would have considered a scoop of protein powder in my first cup of coffee. I thought for sure I would miss that first luscious sip tasting the coffee bean. Instead, that coffee bean taste has become a reward. Once I successfully drink the first cup filled with protein, I reward myself with a cup of pure coffee. I am satisfying my taste buds and making healthy choices at the same time. At this juncture, my health coach is keeping me accountable in successful ways.

null

In the rush of life, consistency in prayer can be challenging to attain, no matter how hard we strive. How might that look different if we had an accountability partner for prayer and who in our life fits that bill? The answers are going to differ from person to person. Prayer partners can be our parish priest, women religious, spiritual directors, spouse, friends, or co-workers. Anyone we partner with can hold us accountable in prayer. However, there is one who stands above the rest: our Heavenly Father.

Imagine partnering with God in an effort to pray daily, learn Scripture, and pray with our children. Instead of praying to God, pray with God. You can accomplish this kind of relationship by allowing God into your heart and inviting Him into your space. Sometimes life will want to get in the way of your intimacy with God, and knowing how to maintain accountability is essential.

I firmly believe in levity throughout life, and this next suggestion might seem a little “out there,” but trust me, it works! The purpose of an accountability partner is to keep us on the right track on whatever it is we are trying to accomplish. At times, their recommendations might be something we really don’t like or want to hear, and the only way to succeed is to comply.

Keeping ourselves accountable to God for our spiritual life is no different. The next time your excuses want to get in the way of time with God, tell God you do not have time for Him. I promise that when you hear those words come from your lips and feel the sadness in your heart that God is experiencing at that moment, excuses will no longer be an issue for you.

Imagine partnering with God in an effort to pray daily, learn Scripture, and pray with our children. #CatholicMom

I’m not sure the psychology surrounding why having someone to hold us accountable for anything works, but statics and studies show success and changed behaviors. How wonderful it will be when building faith, strengthening prayer, and growing closer to God is a measured success in your life. I can’t think of a better prayer partner than the One who gave us prayer.

null