My Job is to Pray

My job is to pray. No, seriously. A huge part of what I feel called to as a minister of the Gospel is to be in constant prayer, to make prayer my calling, to develop close acquaintance with God, and to fall in love with the Word of God.

Acts 6:2-4 shows the early followers of Christ processing this same truth: "So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” A huge part of my dream in life is to be able to have margin in my weekly schedule to dedicate large portions of my life and time to seeking after and worshiping God. 

I love what Mark Batterson tweeted recently "My plea to pastors: please don't delegate prayer. delegate everything else so can pray."

As ministers of the Gospel, in the role of Pastors, Evangelists or any sort of Preacher or minister at all - our chief calling is to prayer and close proximity with God.

Here are several reasons prayer must, should and can come as a top priority in my life:

1. Without prayer, I have far less joy in God, in my life, in my calling for God

How am I to have the joy of the Christian life if there's no time with the Christ of the Christian? The joy comes from being and walking with Him!

2. I have access to the throne of grace through Christ and by faith.

What am I missing if I do not plug into this power source, this life force? (Hebrews 4)

3. I will not have all God wants to give me unless I ask,

And God also continues to refine my motives, and teach me what pleases Him, so I can ask better. (James 4)

4. I can do everything God calls me to do ... but only with His power.

His power flows best in my life as I make room to wait on Him.

5. The dreams God has put in our hearts are way too large to accomplish in our own power

Michelle and I will never get anywhere unless we remain in Him, abide in Him as Jesus called for in the Word.

6. The greatest opportunity in all of life is presented to us in Christ

Our response to walk with God because of His sacrifice on the cross. If I fail to enjoy this amazing grace, I will miss something beyond possible definition or description. This is the greatest possible "fail."