One of the most frustrating things about the majority of church leadership instruction is the general lack any discussion on prayer. Now, most of those teaching on church leadership are teaching to pastors and ministers, and will state at the onset that prayer is assumed.
Why do we assume prayer?
If we were really convinced that prayer often changes the way God acts, and that God does bring about remarkable changes in response to prayer (as Scripture repeatedly teaches), then we would pray much more than we do. – Wayne Grudem in Bible Doctrine
If prayer is the manner in which God has ordained through which we access the One who breathed all that we know into creation – if it is the means by which we approach the Sovereign King and appeal for his providential hand – then why in the world would we assume anything?! The stakes are simply too high!
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it… If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 14:13-14; 15:7
Jesus didn’t assume prayer.
Jesus didn’t pray as though it were something to be assumed.
And according to a 2005 Lifeway Christian Resources study which states that pastors, on average, spend about 30 minutes each day in prayer, I don’t think it is something we can assume any longer.
This is a great reminder to me to spend more time in prayer for my ministry, my volunteers and the children and families we serve.
Thank you!!! Someone finally said it. I wonder when we will finally remember that the hard work of ministry is done in the closet not at leadership seminars, in creative sessions, or the study. Not that all of these things are not important, they simply are not the most important.