Too Busy Not To Pray

In the ministry it's easy to forget about prayer and intimacy with God. After all, as a pastor I've got sermons and Bible studies to prepare, people to counsel daily, board and committee meetings to attend, plan and prepare for the future, solve problems daily, organize campaigns and events, and of course, although they are few, hear people complain about things they don't like, either about me or the church. All in all it's all part of the job. In addition to all of that, I am a father, a husband, a son, and a Yankees Fan. So when do I have time to pray? Prayer comes as a result of discipline. Disicipline is delayed gratification. So, to not to pray, is to not be disciplined. In other words, I must delay the gratification of sleep or anything else that will hinder me from spending time with my Lord. Although I am a pastor, I am human. Prayer does not come easy. It comes with a price. You see, it's not whether or not I find time to pray, I am too busy not to pray. Prayer must be my daily discipline. Without it, I will fail, crumble, fizzle out, decompose, and burn out. One of Jesus' disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray." In a world of multi-tasking, fast food, home theaters, cell phones, and the internet, our heart's cry must be, "Lord, teach us to pray." It's not whether or not the Pastor is finding time to pray. The fact is that all of us are too busy not to pray!