G.H. Lang recalls his work as a traveling evangelist, and how quickly he, an Englishman, was caught up in the pace set by the American missionaries with whom he co-labored:

"The life was typically American, one steady rush all day, with visitors, letters, prayer seasons and at nights the meetings in Cairo five days a week, from which we did not return until 11pm. City life in England , with its late hour, had caused me to forgo my boyhood habit of early rising. I now saw that unless it could be resumed there would be no leisure for indispensible privacy with God and soul-nurture. But how could I resume early rising with days taxed and retiring so late at night?

"I besought the special help of the Lord, who in the days of His flesh had Himself been an early riser, and immediately I found myself able to rise at 5am . This profitable practice has continued ever since."

From An Ordered Life , by G.H. Lang. (Paternoster Press, Exeter )

Making it Personal:

For years I've felt conviction from God regarding my prayer life, and though often I start afresh with good intentions, I, like many of us, still feel like a "failure" in this, the most basic discipline of the Christian life. I'm well aware that the pace of church activities and ministry work can crowd out the "Lord of the work," and come to think of it, I've preached on that very topic. But I know in my heart that I have a long way to go.

The title of this series of PastorConnect is not a question I'm simply posing to you - it's a question I'm asking myself. Will I ever be a man of prayer?

In the coming weeks, I hope you will join me on this journey toward a life of prayer - perhaps a life more effective and meaningful than anything we've previously imagined. I believe I am ready to "lay down my nets" of ministry over-work and truly follow our Lord into a life of deep devotion. And, like those wide-eyed disciples-to-be on the shores of the Sea of Galilee , I probably have no idea what that following Him will involve. I trust that the journey will be worth it, and the destination will result in much glory to God.

- Daniel W. Jarvis, PastorConnect Coordinator

Devotional Reflections:

Psalm 84