James 5:16b The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Where does your attention go in a typical ministry week? Where do you begin? What gets the most attention and time? When the dust settles, how much activity can we say with certainty was powered with spiritual strength? What kind of attention is given to prayer?
While we all believe in prayer and understand its importance, we also want to do better. Prayer is something we simultaneously long for and feel guilty about.
For many in ministry, the ministry tasks and relationships take so much attention that prayer gets left behind. Perhaps that explains why the results of our activity can be so disappointing. We must find a way to give attention to prayer.
Focus on four words of Peter in Acts 6:4. “give our attention to…” What does that mean? What would it look like for us today? In a world where so many things fight for our attention, prayer is not likely to stand out in the crowd. Prayer will rarely demand your attention. Still what could be more crucial than living in ongoing connection and communication with Jesus Himself?!
Acts 6:3b-4 “We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
Prayer and the Word are the primary ways we connect with Jesus, abide in Jesus, and align to Jesus. Prayer is our connection, our conversation, our correct posture of need. Giving attention to prayer is powerful!
Think with me for a moment. What is it that happens when we actively give our attention to something? Not when something grabs our attention BUT when we intentionally give attention.
We give attention when we believe it matters. If we are honest we don’t pray because we don’t believe we need much of God’s help in that moment. The depth of or prayer life reflects the depth of our awareness of neediness.
We give attention when we make a priority decision. Decide the prayer matters enough that you move from wishing to action. That decision will lead to other decisions which realign your priorities to make it happen. If I want to give attention to prayer. Then I will have to adjust make it happen.
We give attention when create intentional space. Nothing can happen in a vacuum. We must decide when and where attention can be given to prayer. Giving attention to prayer will require space whether it is in worship, team meetings, small groups or personal time. Don’t hope for leftover space to present itself. Stake out space with clear boundaries. Start realistically knowing you can enlarge the boundaries later as the habit takes root.
We give attention when we embrace a realistic plan. Now that you have priority space cleared out. Decide how you will use that space to give attention to it. I have used a variety of tools over the years to focus & stretch my attention on prayer as well as equip others for deepening prayer. Pick one to help when you are struggling to get there. Among the most helpful for me are some form of praying scripture and prayer lists. If you need ideas, let me know.
We give attention when we actually, intentionally habitually pray.
Call a “time-out” today to think about the attention you really give to prayer. What would it look like to give it priority attention? Imagine what will happen in your heart, relationships, and ministry impact when you make this change.
I’m praying for you!
1Thes. 5:16-18 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
The Pastor's Life 