Pastors

Although it had happened many times before, this time it jolted me. As I was praying, my mind began to wander. As soon as I discovered what was happening, I reprimanded myself. I forced myself to return to the prayer list so I could maximize my time.

That's when it hit me: In what should be an intimate meeting between the heavenly Father and one of his children, I'm operating from a businesslike agenda. I wouldn't permit myself to veer off the subject into random conversation. I simply left no time to be "inefficient."

The more I pondered this irony, the more I recognized how I had adopted an efficient, albeit sterile, prayer life.

My prayer list had become my agenda. I had reached a point where I felt guilty whenever I got hung up on one item and didn't cover the rest. Worse yet (or so I thought), some days other subjects interrupted my thoughts and I never made it to the list.

It dawned on me, however, that I don't organize time with my wife like that: "I'm sorry, honey. We have spent enough ...

You have reached the end of this Article Preview

To continue reading, subscribe to Christianity Today magazine. Subscribers have full digital access to CT Pastors articles.

Log InSubscribe

Already a CT subscriber? Log in for full digital access.