Contributed by Darren Lim • Aug 18, 2026

It has been about a month since my company moved into a new office in Sunway. On paper, the distance is shorter, but in reality, the traffic elevates the standard ‘jam’ exponentially. Beating the jam has caused undue consternation to me and my household. My earlier departure created a logistical nightmare – my youngest (who starts kindergarten later) is now dragged from sleep earlier just to tag along as my wife drops the older two to school.

Amidst the morning hustle, I still manage to slip in prayer and Bible reading on my commute. But while these take their rightful precedence at the top of a long to-do list, they have tragically become just another box to check. I find myself compelled to switch to Spotify the second the “meaningless” ramblings of Ecclesiastes conclude. Even my prayers have fallen into established formulaic repetitions: thanksgiving, repentance, and requests. The pattern follows a rigid family first, the Thursday CG prayer chain, followed by a mixed bag of whatever springs to mind: the impending work crisis, a vague societal issue or simply the groceries I need to pick up later on the way home.

I am reminded of the Pharisee and the tax collector in one of Jesus’ parables. Where the Pharisee offered proud and pompous words, the tax collector turned to God with a contrite heart. Not daring to lift his eyes to heaven, well aware of his sinfulness. The Holy Spirit gently impresses on me that God does not demand lengthy or articulate prayers, but a posture of humility and a desire to simply spend quiet time with Him.

I am now parked in the office basement, the engine switched off. Just before wrapping up my prayers and switching to my usual Spotify list, I pause. Instead, I put on worship music. Just soaking in His presence as I meditate on the words of worship:

♫ Your Word is like honey to my lips,
Your Spirit like water to my soul.
Your Word is a lamp unto my feet.
Jesus I love You, I love You… ♫