A Day in the Life of a Praying Pastor
I've felt the need lately for more concerted times of prayer for my life, ministry, and mission efforts. I decided to be especially creative and strategic in using my time one day of the week. This summer I've chosen Thursdays. While part of the day is engaged in regular ministry work, I've intentionally structured the day around numerous times of kingdom prayer. I wake up early to work out and take some time for prayer during that time, especially when I'm doing 'cardio'. I find that my mind is sharp and available to focus. Next, I come home for time in the scripture and reflective prayer based on what God is saying to me through the passages I'm reading. I use the Bible as the basis of my prayers and pray back what I'm reading.
I typically walk into the office from home, which takes about a half-hour. This prayer walk lends itself well to praying for my city as I walk through my neighbourhood, past city hall and some of my city's major institutions and services. I'm doing reconnaissance for the kingdom on my commute! On Thursdays, I meet with my staff and a number of other pastors and campus ministry leaders to spend time doing a book study on evangelism and prayer for our own personal evangelism and through our churches. The prayer and discussion is rich and stimulating as we challenge each other to grow in evangelism and intentional mission. We mix up prayer in the larger group and in groups of two or three. After a short break to check in with my staff and email, I join two others for our prayer triad, formed as part of our Engage the Conversation group that will happen later that evening. We talk about opportunities for friendship and evangelism with our skeptical friends, neighbours, and co-workers. God is opening doors and giving us the courage to walk through them. We pray fervently for these people, each other, and for deeper engagements in the coming week. We are learning to expect regular answers to these prayers!
After lunch, I take another time for personal time in the Bible and for prayer. I pray for the Sunday sermon, my staff, elders, leaders, and the wider church. I bring the joys and the challenges into the throne room of God. I then prepare for that evening's Engage the Conversation group. I reread this week's chapter and consider how best to guide the conversation and prayer that will happen this evening and pray for each person that will come. Once I am ready, I phone a handful of prayer partners for short times of prayer over the phone with each of them. Within 15-20 minutes, we catch up briefly, mention specific prayer needs, and then go right to prayer. This offers mutual encouragement.
The evening rolls around and people from our church begin to arrive for the various Discipleship Groups we have on as a church community. We begin our Engage the Conversation group by praying for the Christianity Explored course going on at the same time downstairs. We pray for both the leaders and those who are attending. Both need the Spirit to work in opening hearts and minds to Jesus. Next, we review the previous week's chapter and homework. Week-by-week, the stories keep coming of how God is opening our eyes to the people and city around us and the doors that take us deeper into relationships with people. Real gospel conversations are happening! Where once some were fearful, they are growing in courage in the relationships God has placed them in. Finally, we dig into the course chapter for that week. Discussion and prayer alternate as we take to heart what we are learning and begin to put it into practice right there. There is an immediacy to the Presence of God in the room.
Finally, the day is over and much has been accomplished. Even better, the most important and lasting work has been done...and I got to play a part in it.
