Six men gathered in a conference room last night to do something very important. No world affairs were discussed nor was any obvious conquest made that their human eyes could see. In all actuality, the men were rather tired from a long day of working at different places in metro-Atlanta. After some initial greeting of one another and a few words given concerning what they were about to do, these six human leaders at Meadow Baptist Church became still and quiet before their God and then began to intercede for the flock of God. Six men on behalf of several hundred people made their way by faith to the presence of God to place needs before a welcoming throne of Omnipotence.
“Because prayer for the church is secret and therefore unrewarded by men, we shall only undertake it if we long for their spiritual welfare more than for their thanks.” – John Stott
Preaching is something that brings great satisfaction to me and I likely would not continue to do it if that were not true. Writing is also something I enjoy because it allows me to think and seek God’s aid to empower me to share words which might deposit something good that will grow in those who read. Though I’m not very gifted in the art of singing, few things move my heart in worship more than rendering loud praise unto Christ. Yet more than singing, writing or preaching I will gladly confess that my favorite use of my words is when they are expressed in private prayer. There is nothing more precious to me than knowing that the God of the Universe (and beyond) has welcomed me to share my heart in words with Him. He’s promised me that He’s listening and His Word tells me that He will take action concerning what I am leaving with Him. People are welcome to pray to God and, for some reason that is not perfectly clear, our prayers to Him are part of the equation concerning what happens in our lives and the lives of others. I’m convinced that it is the activity most essential in my personal life. I also believe that prayer has no equal in my calling as a pastor.
A pastor’s prayer life is not something which is often prioritized by those who follow him. He should preach well, be a people-person, counsel, comfort, marry, bury, visit the ill, console the grieving, pursue the straying, disciple other leaders, evangelize the unsaved, love his wife, raise exemplary children and a host of other things as he undertakes the work that God has given him. But his prayer life is something that is, more often than not, assumed to be above par and rarely is he asked about it by others. Pulpit committees have never questioned me about my prayer life when I have been a candidate for their open office of pastor. Truth be known, most of the pastors that I know rarely speak of their personal time spent in prayer. Over the last thirty years silly substitutes have become the norm and now the shepherds of local churches “do devotions” and have “quiet times”, with the goal being to spend a smidge of time with Jesus before the bulk of the day gets underway. I think we pastors are failing our flocks in this area and the evidence shows.
I confessed to the other five men in the room last night that I had failed them by not regularly praying with them. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never stopped praying FOR them but I realized that my modeling of prayer’s primacy had fallen to the wayside. I’m sure that they assumed that their pastor was praying for them (and I was) but I believe I owe them the debt of displaying this essential practice. Leaders in local churches cannot experience the power and blessing of God on their labors without tarrying in his presence together. What I am saying is not leaglism nor is it some technicality concerning pastoral ministry. No matter who we are or what our role is in the Kingdom, prayerlessness will ultimately lead to our endeavoring to accomplish eternal work with temporal power. I’ve chosen not to dishonor my Lord by allowing that to ever become a reality in my life and ministry. Today I simply share with you who read that I count it great priority and great privilege to bow in prayer before God’s throne. This may not sound exciting and dramatic to you but I certainly hope you recognize the legitimacy of what I’m sharing. Protect your pastor’s prayer life. Protect his time in such a way that he does not trivialize each allotment of 24 hours with endless duties that could be, and often should be, undertaken by others. Pray for him as he prays for you and invite God into your relationship with your pastor. For those who worship with me at Meadow, we need the power of God in ways too many to describe. Go to Him in earnest prayer and call on Him while expecting great and mighty things to result. Go to His throne room each and every day and wait there until you know that you are dismissed. E.M. Bounds said of pastors, “They are not leaders because of brilliancy…but because, by the power of prayer, they could command the power of God.”
Grant this to be, O God!