Page 83 - BMIN191 Beginnning Internship

The Life of Ministry 83

conversation is over. But for the mature in faith, a time of quietness allows God
to speak. Listening to God is what makes a life of prayer powerful.
The minister who seeks a powerful prayer life in public without cultivating a prayer
life in private will be disappointed. God works through relationship and will ultimately
make public what is private. If we establish our relationship with God in times of
private prayer, we will find greater power in those times when we must pray publicly.
Expression
The final aspect of a devotional life is the ongoing expression of what God is
speaking into our hearts. God is always purposeful in dealing with humankind.
As God draws us close through private times, He will give direction to our lives
and show us how to influence the world around us.
A devotional life must ultimately focus outward. Though God will work in our
lives as we spend time with Him in secret, His aim is to equip us for His work outside
of our prayer closet. Those who seek God privately but have no desire to serve Him
publicly have engaged in a selfish pursuit. Some have even cloistered themselves
from the world around them, believing they can better serve God in isolation.
While Jesus’ own private times with the Father are clearly evidenced in the
Gospels, He was always among the people. Jesus knew His mission was to seek
and to save what was lost, not hide out from the declining culture around Him.
So it is with us. A key part of our devotional life is the expression of what God is
teaching us for the benefit of others who desire to know Him.

7 In what way can Certainly there will be times when God speaks to ministers’ hearts solely for
witnessing be a part of one’s their own benefit. He is a personal God. But the work never stops there. God
devotional life? pours himself into us, so that we can allow Him to pour through us for the benefit
of others. As Jesus commanded His disciples, “‘Freely you have received, freely
give’” (Matthew 10:8).

Cultivating a Relationship

Establishing a Habit
While it may seem unspiritual to think of devotional practices as habit, we
must acknowledge that we are creatures of routine. With the numerous demands
on our time, failure to implement a consistent plan will likely mean that one’s
devotional life will get only the leftovers of energy and diminished interest.
8 Do you prefer to spend The first step in establishing this pattern of living is to identify a time each
time with God in the morning day to commit to God. Psalmist David reveals his clear preference for the earliest
or evening? Why? moments of the day (Psalm 63:1). Later, the early church chose to meet on the
first day of the week, both to celebrate Christ’s resurrection and to begin each
week with worship. For most people, a time with God to begin each day helps set
a course for that day. It is also much easier to protect the early hours of the day
from the intrusion of other demands.
Of course, many choose to spend the concluding moments of the day with
God. This allows for reflection on the day and aids rest. Just as God rested at the
end of His creative week, so these people find their devotional time at the end of
the day an ideal way to unwind. An individual should choose whatever point in
the day is most conducive for him or her.

The Quiet Place
Location matters as well. Jesus spoke of a private place of prayer, and this
idea must be in focus for choosing a location. The issue of privacy is essential.