Much Prayer, Much Productivity

In the last few weeks, I have been challenged over and over again on the importance of prayer. It seems every outlet I am plugged into for spiritual and personal growth is telling me that more than leadership skills and creative ideas; more than Bible study and ministry books; more than time management and time off, I need to invest time in prayer. Essentially the mantra is "much prayer, much power."

This is often a difficult principle to understand. After all life and ministry demand so much of my time. Family needs fun, and concern, and laughter and conversation, and activities, and down time together; events need planning, sermons need writing, students need discipling, worship list must be made, and meetings had. The schedule seems to indicate that the budget for prayer is minimal.

Recently I heard a former Johnson and Johnson executive say that most people do not reach even 80% of their potential capacity for accomplishment. When I consider that statistic, I am reminded of a story I once heard. When John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church was asked how he was able to accomplish so much with all his preaching and writing. His response was, "I have so much to do that I spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it."

Perhaps we have missed the secret to accomplishing great things in faith, ministry, even life. Much prayer, much productivity. Prayer is not the cursory conversation we check off our list in the morning. It is more than the source by which we accomplish great things. As Oswald Chambers said, "Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work." No significant spiritual victory is realized until it is first won in prayer. Prayer without ceasing is the secret to realizing God-given potential.

Let this ideal be in our hearts and minds as we look at our full calendars and packed schedules: Much prayer, much productivity. Remember the words of Jesus, "Apart from me, you can do nothing." John 15:5