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Church leaders don't need more time to pray

by: Rebecca Barnes, editor

Lent has begun, and with it an increase in the guilt for the lack of time we all have for whole-heartedly pursuing spiritual disciplines. However, maybe we're thinking too hard about this. Does a renewed focus on God always require extra time? Or could it come from a shift in perspective?

An e-mailed press release about a book on this subject piqued my attention because it sounded completely ridiculous. The subject line: New Lenten Practice for Busy Multi-Taskers.

Hmm. When I consider Lent, I think of making vows to God, spiritual discipline and time spent in prayer. When I consider being busy I think of guilt, because it seems somewhat sinful. So the idea that someone has conjured up a way to work Lent into the busy American Christian’s schedule seems ludicrous.

Until I read the e-mail.

It blames technology for the impossibility of communion with God—we’re apparently so connected horizontally, i.e., with other people, places, screens, phones, and high-tech devices that we cannot disconnect in order to work on our vertical link with God.

The solution is multi-tasking prayer—again ridiculous. At least that was my first impression.

"Put a spiritual spin on the daily tasks you’re already doing," author Barbara Bartocci writes in her book, "Grace on the Go: 101 Quick Ways to Pray." An example of these "one-minute prayers:" "You're filling your car with gas; use the moment to ask God to fill you with loving kindness toward everyone you meet that day. Bingo. You've added a prayer without adding extra time."

This example slightly warmed me to the idea—due in large part to my practice of already praying this way. I don’t say short prayers mid-life because I’m trying to fit communion with God into my hectic schedule (though of course I am), I say these prayers because I am "praying continually" (I Thessalonians 5:17) and continuing a conversation with God that never ends.

Rick Warren recommends exactly this practice to pastors this week in his Ministry Toolbox article. No. 1 on the list of ways to keep a relationship with God fresh is to spend time with God. No. 2 is to "talk with God continually." Pumping gas would seem to qualify.

"I can be going through a fast food drive-in and say, ‘God, I’m really glad to get this taco. I’m hungry!’ The key is, keep talking to God," Warren writes.

While I still think all of my attention should be devoted to prayer at some point during the day, this sort of stream-of-consciousness praying is an additional way to stay connected to the Creator—not so much for the time saving as for the soul refreshing.

Blog here.