The more a pastor does NOT spend adequate time in the Word and prayer, the more he directly must rely on working from the flesh to do spiritual work. No wonder so many feel so frustrated they want to quit.
But let’s also GET SERIOUS about something — for decades, one of the strongest and most persistent messages shared with pastors is this essential need for THEM to have adequate time in the Word and prayer. This is something pastors KNOW, and they even teach it to their congregations (any decent pastor does, anyway). So if you let a problem persist for days, and months, and years, and decades, at some point you’re going to break.
You’ll want to quit.
I am NOT saying “everything will be roses” if you just fix this issue. Ministry will still be tough, but you’ll be fueling yourself with what you need to be able to deal with tough times, difficult people, and trying ministries or ministry situations. But to continue to face the challenges of ministry while allowing yourself to NOT have adequate time in the Word and prayer is nothing short of foolish.
It will be your primary problem, one that needs to be fixed, and one that can be fixed.
The question is, will you fix it?
This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.
