Acts 6:2-4 – So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."
Oswald Chambers has said,
- Prayer does not fit us for the greater works; prayer is the greater work. We think of prayer as a common sense exercise of our higher powers in order to prepare us for God's work. In the teaching of Jesus Christ, prayer is the working of the miracle of redemption in me which produces the miracle of redemption of others by the power of God.
He goes on to point out that many will not pray unless,
- …we get thrills, that is the most intense form of spiritual selfishness. We have to labour along the line of God's direction, and…there is nothing thrilling about a labouring man's work, but it is the labouring man who makes the conceptions of the genius possible; and it is the labouring Saint who makes the conceptions of his Master possible. You labour at prayer and the results happen all the time from his standpoint.
I hope you will begin this week realizing the importance of prayer. You may be ever so active in your church organization. You may be extremely busy at your work. Your family may be demanding upon your time and energy. However, regardless of your circumstance, you need to develop a life of prayer.
You must be so much in communication with the Father that you know He is with you and you with Him.
Prayer: Father, help me to realize prayer is the highest work to which You have called me. Amen.
(From The Ministry of the Master ©1986 by Donald Bartow. Used by permission.)
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