Wasting Time with God

Louisa Ikena reflects on prayer and how we are called to view prayer time in the light of faith. 

There is so much emphasis on productivity and efficiency in our world. The messages seem to always include, “Go! Go! Go!” and “Do! Do! Do!” Who has time to waste? Time is, indeed, precious. We only get a finite amount of it. I, for one, want to milk it for all it is worth. 

Yet there is one area where I set out deliberately to waste time and be “useless” in the eyes of the world. I choose to pray. It is part of a deliberate decision to be a human being rather than a human “doing” today. 

I first heard the expression, “Go waste time with God,” in college from a priest I respect very much. He spoke authentically as a witness who walks the walk, as the saying goes. In fact, I am sure I wouldn’t remember his words so vividly all these years later if he hadn’t been such a sincere and powerful witness of true faith in God and authentic practice in prayer. 

What the Church Teaches Us About Prayer

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) echoes these notions:

Many Christians unconsciously regard prayer as an occupation that is incompatible with all the other things they have to do: they “don’t have the time.” (from CCC 2726)

That thought resonates with me when prayer is just one more item on my to-do list. Paragraph 2727 continues, “Others overly prize production and profit; thus prayer, being unproductive, is useless.”

The conclusion is always the same: what good does it do to pray? To overcome these obstacles, we must battle to gain humility, trust, and perseverance.” (2728)

And do I pray, Lord, for an increase in humility, trust, and perseverance. 

I need to actively choose and be willing to waste time with God. I need to take the time and consciously carve it out of my schedule. Yes, it feels useless. But I have heard many times, “Feelings are not facts.”

In Light of Eternity 

The truth is we are awaiting and greatly anticipating spending eternity with our Beloved Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. What seems like a waste to this world is a blink of the eye in the next. In light of eternity, how can I not choose prayer? What better way can I spend my time then to fellowship with our Father, our Prince of Peace, and our Comforter? 

In Him I find relief from the frantic pace of the world. In Him I find refuge from powers of darkness that will never overcome the Light. In Him I find true and lasting rest. 

It might seem useless and a waste of time. There are so many distractions pulling at me all at once. Decisions about how to spend my time can be quite difficult. But I know it adds up to some of the best time spent in my lifetime. Just for today, I choose to pray. 

Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2025 Louisa Ann Irene Ikena
Images: Canva