We Will Give Ourselves to Prayer
David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of prioritizing prayer and the Word in ministry, warning against the dangers of neglecting prayer and the consequences of being bogged down by duties and details.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of prioritizing prayer and the ministry of the Word, as demonstrated by the apostles in the early church. They recognized the need to delegate administrative tasks to maintain their focus on spiritual responsibilities, leading to the growth of the church. Wilkerson warns that many modern pastors fall victim to distractions and neglect their prayer life, which is essential for spiritual health and effectiveness. He encourages believers to resist interruptions and seek God's help to maintain a disciplined prayer life. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a return to the foundational practice of prayer to experience God's power and guidance.
Text
In the first-century church at Jerusalem, the Greek widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. Naturally, they sought the help of the leaders in the church.
The apostles did not feel right about giving up their study of God's Word and time in prayer just to oversee this administrative task, so they called together the church body and said, "It is not reason [good] that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables" (Acts 6:2). As a result, seven men of "good report" were appointed to handle all the church's business affairs. In the meantime, the apostles pledged, "We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word" (Acts 6:4).
The result of this arrangement was: "The word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied" (Acts 6:7). The church grew because these men refused to neglect their primary task.
Very few pastors today will make this kind of sacrifice. One minister looked me in the eye and said, "I simply don't have time to pray. I'm too busy. There are too many demands on my time." Another pastor confessed to me, "I haven't prayed in months. I meditate and have quick devotions occasionally, but I can't bring myself into the discipline of prayer."
I don't want to condemn any hardworking, devoted minister of God. But the fact is, every servant rises and falls to his own master, and many preachers of the gospel today are not aware that they have become victims of a satanic conspiracy of interruptions. They are constantly on the run, bogged down under an avalanche of duties and details.
I thank God we are never at the mercy of Satan or any of his devices. We can expose his tactics, speak the word of faith, and in Christ's name stop every single interruption. By the power of God's Spirit within us, we can clear our path to the Lord's gates and come boldly to His throne of grace to receive help in our time of need. That is what the Lord desires for all of us.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Importance of Prayer in Ministry
- A. The apostles' decision to prioritize prayer and the Word
- B. The consequences of neglecting prayer and the Word
- II. The Dangers of Neglecting Prayer
- A. The satanic conspiracy of interruptions
- B. The consequences of being bogged down by duties and details
- III. The Power of Prayer in Overcoming Obstacles
- A. Exposing Satan's tactics and speaking the word of faith
- B. Coming boldly to God's throne of grace for help
Key Quotes
“We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” — David Wilkerson
“Every servant rises and falls to his own master, and many preachers of the gospel today are not aware that they have become victims of a satanic conspiracy of interruptions.” — David Wilkerson
“By the power of God's Spirit within us, we can clear our path to the Lord's gates and come boldly to His throne of grace to receive help in our time of need.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Prioritize prayer and the Word in your ministry, and do not let duties and details distract you from your primary task.
- Be aware of the satanic conspiracy of interruptions and take steps to overcome them.
- Come boldly to God's throne of grace to receive help in your time of need.