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The first thing I do when I get up in the morning is get a cup of coffee in my hand and the Word of God in my soul. I pray over many requests in my prayer journal and several missionary pictures. I also keep a journal of my life.
I remember two distinct challenges from a couple of seminary professors at Southwestern Seminary. Roy Fish said, “Every great man of God kept a journal.” Bruce Leafblad challenged our class to spend one hour a day in prayer to God.
Sad to say, but at the time I was praying like five minutes a day. To spend an hour a day with God in prayer was the best decision I ever made to help me grow in my relationship with the Lord. Praise God for the privilege of close communion and intimacy with Him. Through prayer, God speaks to my heart, gets my focus off me and on Him, and off my problems and on His sufficiency.
The 27th life principle in Charles Stanley’s series of messages, “30 Life Principles,” is entitled “Prayer—Our Time Saver.” In his typical way, Stanley preached a powerful message on how we must spend time alone with God, talking to Him and listening to what He says to us in His Word. He said he hears people say, “I just do not have time. Where has the day gone?”
We all have problems with time management. James 4:14 reminds us time is fleeting and our days are numbered. “Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” God has given us all a segment of time, but we do not know how long it will last.
"We will never regret the times we spend with God in prayer and Bible intake. It is our lifeline in a crazy and troubled world."
I think of President Donald Trump’s near-death experience during the assassination attempt on July 13 in Butler, Pa. It was not his time. Trump admits it was a miracle from the Lord that he was not killed. However, for Corey Comperatore, it was his time. He lost his life as he shielded his daughter from the bullets. From what I have read about him, he was a good and godly man who was ready to meet God in eternity.
The best way to spend our time on earth is prayer. Oswald Chambers famously said, “Prayer does not equip us for greater works; prayer is the greater work.” There are many things we can do after we pray, but there is nothing we can do of eternal significance until we have prayed.
Stanley was right: When we spend time with God in prayer, He empowers us to get so much more done. When you are so busy and feel you do not have time to pray, that is when you need to pray the most. We will never regret the times we spend with God in prayer and Bible intake. It is our lifeline in a crazy and troubled world.
I am looking forward to the prayer meeting we will have on Nov. 11 at Sagemont Church as we meet for our Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Annual Meeting. It is truly amazing how God blesses us when we pray and ask for His favor upon us. Make plans to join us for a great time of fellowship and encouragement.
