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NO TIME TO PRAY By PASTOR JACKIE BATTLES LIBERTY BAPTIST CHURCH 1400 FAIRFAX STREET STEPHENS CITY, VIRGINIA 22655 PHONE: 540.869.6595 E-Mail: landmark@liberty-baptist.org I read where pastors don't pray much anymore. The following would be my reply to that statement. Time! We are too busy doing church work to do the Lord's work. We are responsible for turning on the heat at the church, and turning off the heat. We are responsible for making sure the commodes are unstopped. It's as though we wore a large sign that said "I'M THE COMMODE PERSON, COME WATCH ME DIP, SWIRL, SUCK AND PUSH MY WAY TO FAME AND FORTUNE." We are too busy consoling sheep that were offended because they didn't get recognized for the $3 contribution to "Save the Chipmunk Campaign." We do not have time to pray because we are outside shoveling snow off the side walks or calling people that are SUPPOSED to be shoveling, but cannot because little Jimmy is upset that he did not make the mud wrestling team. (Which translates into, "It's too early in the morning, too cold, I'm too lazy and you are already there, you take care of it. But count me in when you need someone to sign up for some good deed.) We don't have time to pray because we are too busy putting out fires. Fires like: "Pastor, where will we have the Valentine dinner, the eating place we wanted, is all booked up." Or "Will you come by and talk to my neighbor because I'm not comfortable talking to him about the Lord, we are just too close." Or "My car broke down and I need you to come help me, by the way how come your sermons are so lousy on Sundays? Don't you ever study anymore?" Or "I'm in the hospital and I NEED you to come by and see me. I do not really have a spiritual problem, but I really would like for you to come by. Besides, I can tell all my friends that MY pastor came by to see ME." Or "Pastor would you write a really nice resume and tell the people how really wonderful I am. I know, I only get to church a couple of times a years, but you know my heart is there." Or "Pastor I'm just so busy and my aunt Margaret is coming in at the airport. I just know you would not mind picking her up. It is just a couple of hours. BY the way, would you mind stopping by for lunch somewhere, she will be up early and will not have eaten." Or "Pastor have you watered the flowers in the church this week?" Or "Brother, you forgot to lock the back door to the church last week. You know someone could steal everything we have if you don't remember to do that." Or ______________________" We don't have time to pray because someone has to paint the parsonage, or fix the lights, or mop the floors, or pick up the trash, or order the literature, or make the phone calls, or set up the visitation, or order the tracts, or teach the lessons. Here is why we don't pray. There are 168 hours in a
week. Then the time it takes to deliver those sermons = 3 hours. Total 33 hours. Then we have a Sunday School class, at least one, another 10 hours and 1 hour delivery. Total so far = 44 hours. Lets not forget the hospital visits, a couple a week. 3/4 hour for each visit (including driving time) = another 1 1/2hours. Total 45 1/2 hours. Now we are into overtime and the pay really goes up. We can not leave out visitation each week. That's a minimum of 4 hours (If we go twice a week.) total time now 49 1/2 hours. Then of course we have "church wide" visitation (By the way "church wide" means that you and one other guy goes) that is about 6 hours. Total time is now 55 1/2 hours. Before I forget, we did not count the other times we were in church, but not teaching. That would be another 3 hours a week. Total 58 1/2 hours. Then, we have our "divergent" ministries. Things like Men's Fellowship, Rescue Mission, Nursing Home, etc. This would take about 2 hours a week. Total 60 1/2 hours. What about the "counseling sessions? You know those times when people come to you, not for advice from the Word of God, but for approval for what they have already decided to do. Anyway, add another 10 hours. Total 70 1/2 hours. Let us not forget the time on the telephone tracking down literature, checking on phone bills, (gas bill, bank statements, etc.) talking to members who just wanted to say hello. A minimum of about 10 more hours. Total 80 1/2 hours. Be sure to add the 4 hours quality time with our family (per week) and that great 8 hours rest each night. Add the two toghether for a week and that would be a total 60 hours which would bring our overall total to 140 1/2 hours. Oh, by the way, we spend all day at the church on Sunday, that is 16 hours. If you subtract the time already allocated to teaching, you would end up with 12 hours. Now you have a total of 152 1/2 hours . I forgot to mention the cab service we provide, and the errand service, and the pick up service for the church. At least another 15 hours a week for a total of 167 1/2 hours. As you can see, we do not even have time to eat. This is why I only have 1/2 hour each WEEK to pray. Do you wonder why pastors make stupid mistakes sometimes? While the above may be somewhat exaggerated, in many cases we don't pray about the matter, we just react. If we stop to pray, we get behind, the ball is dropped, or the drywall might not get fixed should we lag behind. I'm so far behind in time, I have to cut this short, because time has not been allocated to continue this article. There is no excuse for not praying. Nothing takes the place of unloading your soul before our wonderful and Almighty Savior and praising Him. Yet we continue to push along, alone in our own power and strength. May there be churches that allow and insist that pastors give themselves to the study of the Word and prayer. May there be pastors that step away from being "cumbered about much serving," to doing "that good part." God help us! U |
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