Martin Luther is quoted as saying, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Bill Hybels recently wrote a book entitled “Too Busy Not To Pray” and he has since sold over 1,000,000 copies! I find many of my days and late nights to be filled with busyness! It is always one thing after another as I proudly check off each task on my list that I complete. There are honestly days that I do not have time to eat, head to the bathroom or give my wife a call to see how the kids are. There are never ending lists of grants to write, e-mails to return and many programs to oversee. Yet, in the midst of the busyness, it would seem that the single most important time spent in my day would be with the Father in prayer. Both Mr. Luther and Mr. Hybels would say that the key to a successfully busy life is an intentional and passionate prayer life.
Jesus seemed to be quite a busy guy during His earthly ministry. With all the miracles, teaching, rebuking of the religious elite and training 12 ordinary men to be the future of the Church, it is amazing He had time to sleep! However, in the midst of His incredibly busy life, He made sure to spend time in prayer. In fact in Luke 5:16, it tells us that, “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Jesus’ prayer life was habitual and was something he “often” did. It was as if His prayer life was what allowed Him to sustain His busy ministry life.
As we go about our lives that get busier and busier, we often push many things to the side. Jesus’ discipline of prayer in the midst of busyness reveals to us that it is the necessary component to maintain the pace that life takes us in sometimes. Luther knew this to be true, as did Hybels. I know that this discipline is the key to being properly spiritually connected to the very source and reason for everything we do at FIRM. Please pray for me in the midst of your busy day today and I look forward to seeing how a refreshed prayer life in the midst of busyness will empower both of us to be busy with His purposes.
Peace and Love,
Zachary D. Darrah
Executive Director