Prayer saves time

The title of a book by Bill Hybels sticks in my mind: Too Busy Not to Pray.

It's catchy because it seems so completely opposite to the facts.  Prayer obviously takes time and who has time to waste?

If we sat down and thought things through, most of us would realize that we have lots of time.  It's just that we fill our time with things that often don't need doing.

But that's not Hybels' point.

His point is that we are so busy running around that we waste time simply running around.  Sometimes we do things that are not going anywhere because we haven't consulted the one who knows what's going to happen.

Hybels, pastor of the world-famous Willow Creek Community Church in the Chicago area, is a self-confessed adrenaline junkie.  In his book, he says he loves getting to the office and plunging into the many things that need doing.  And, with a church like Willow Creek, there's lots to do.

But years ago, he felt God telling him to pray.  So he spent a lot of time reading about prayer, studying Bible passages on prayer, and - finally - praying.

He shares what he has learned about prayer in his delightfully-written book.

For me, the most important lesson is that priority number one is getting to know God intimately through talking to him and listening to him.  After that, other issues start falling into place.

Jesus is our best example.  In Luke 6:12-13, we read that he spent a night praying before choosing his disciples.  Frequently, we are told that Jesus prayed before spending a tumultuous day preaching to -and healing - thousands of people.

What Jesus gained from prayer was assurance and direction from the Father in what he was to do.  The Father and the Holy Spirit strengthened him and prepared him for his crowded and strife-torn days healing, speaking and debating with hostile enemies.

Hybels talks about calming his active mind by "journaling", talking to God in a written journal.  I find this a very helpful practice, often bringing a quick solution to a problem by presenting it to God and receiving his response.

But you can come into God's presence and present concerns to him and receive his inner strength and assurance - whether or not you write in a journal.

As a believer, I know that it makes sense to bring God into my daily life.  If his thoughts are greater than my thoughts, why not get his input?

It will save a lot of time if I make the right decision early rather than late.