How to Protect Your Time with God

Written by John S. Powers

Imagine that you are standing next to a ripple-free pond or lake. Reaching down you clutch a smooth stone. With a flick of your wrist, you "skip" the stone across the water. From center to circumference, the entire body of water is impacted by the ripple effect. Pastor, when it comes to our tireless efforts, there is a ripple effect from our worship too! Staying healthy in ministry includes protecting your time with God.

The BodyLife Journey: Guiding Believers into Ministry – Member Workbook

Jesus understood the importance of protecting His time with the Father.

• He prayed early in the morning (Mark 1:35) and in the evening (Matthew 14:23).
• He often prayed alone (John 6:15) and also when people were present (Matthew 11:25-26).
• Luke tells how Jesus prayed all night (6:12).
• He prayed during one of His miracles (John 11:41-42).
• He asked a blessing at meals (Luke 9:16; 24:30; Matthew 15:36; 26:26-27).
• Major decisions in His life were preceded by prayer.
• Since the "Spirit drove Him" (Mark 1:12) into the wilderness for the temptation by Satan, it is likely that He was in a state of prayer immediately after His baptism.
• His decision to leave Capernaum and preach in "the other cities also" (Luke 4:42-43) followed His praying.
• Luke 6:12-13 tells us that Jesus prayed all night before selecting His most intimate relationships, the twelve disciples.
• Jesus prayed during personal needs and crises like Gethsemane (Mathew 26:39).
• Even His final words on the cross are a prayer--"Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit" (Luke 23:46).

The King of the Universe felt the need, and exercised every opportunity, to spend time with His Father. As mere mortals ... so should we. How does a busy pastor juggle the multiple tasks of ministry while developing and exercising a spiritual discipline of personal prayer? Once again, Jesus is our model. Mark 1:35 indicates the actions He took that encourage me to keep a personal vigil.

1. Discipline: Jesus prayed early.
   We all have 24 hours each day. Spending time with the Master is a personal choice. Friend, there is nothing a busy pastor may do that is more important that prayer before he prays and nothing more important than to pray after he prays. Develop this spiritual discipline and experience divine visitation.
2. Determination: Jesus took action daily.
   Mark tells us it was "early," and "still dark," when Jesus "got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place." This shows determination on our Lord's part. Remember, the devil will do anything to keep a busy pastor from the prayer closet. I repeat ... Anything! Friend, do you harbor a prayerless heart? Have you fallen prey to the evil ploy of the adversary? Paul's remedy for such a malady in recorded in Ephesians 6:1-18.
3. Devotion: Jesus prayed.
   Pastor, long before you were called to the occupation of ministry, God called you to an everlasting preoccupation with Him. Every day before the sun kissed the morning shadows, Jesus prayed. Need some help getting started (or revived) in your prayer life?

Here are four ways to help you protect your time with God:

Remember, there will always be work to do for Him. But spending time with Him brings a satisfaction to your work because there is joy in your worship.

About John Powers

Dr. Powers is the author of Redefining Church Membership and The BodyLife Journey - Guiding Believers into Ministry. A pastor for 22 years, Dr. Powers received his master's of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He considers The BodyLife Journey a personal life-message from the Lord.