When We Make Time to Pray

In the first-century church at Jerusalem, the Greek widows were neglected in the daily distribution of food. Naturally, they sought the help of the church leaders. 

The apostles did not feel right about giving up their study of God’s Word and time in prayer to oversee this administrative task, so they called together the church body and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables” (Acts 6:2, NKJV).  As a result, seven men of “good report” were appointed to handle all the church’s business affairs. In the meantime, the apostles pledged, “We will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4).

“Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). The church grew as a result of this arrangement because these men refused to neglect their primary task. 

Very few pastors today will make this kind of sacrifice. One minister looked me in the eye and said, “I simply don’t have time to pray. I’m too busy. There are too many demands on my time.” Another pastor confessed to me, “I haven’t prayed in months. I meditate and have quick devotions occasionally, but I can’t bring myself into the discipline of prayer.” 

I don’t want to condemn any hardworking, devoted minister of God. The fact is, though, every servant rises and falls to their own master. Many preachers of the gospel today are not aware that they have become victims of a satanic conspiracy of interruptions. They are constantly on the run, bogged down under an avalanche of duties and details. 

I thank God we are never at the mercy of Satan or any of his devices. We can expose his tactics, speak the word of faith, and stop every single interruption in Christ’s name. By the power of God’s Spirit within us, we can clear our path to the Lord’s gates and come boldly to his throne of grace to receive help in our time of need. Beloved, this is what the Lord desires for all of us!