When "Doing for God" Doesn't Leave Time for Prayer

Lately God has been teaching me a lot concerning the balance between how much we pray and how much we “do”.  It is so easy to get caught up in doing things for God that we don’t spend time praying and listening Him.  We see this point illustrated in this passage. 

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”  --Luke 10:38-42

I can relate much more to Martha than Mary.  Everything, especially ministry related things, always seem to be a priority.  Consider this situation: A pastor is preaching at a park and thousands come to listen to Him.  They stay there all day and want Him to continue teaching into the evening hours.  Exciting right?  They are thirsty to hear of God!  But instead of continuing to preach the pastor send them all home so that He can spend alone time with God.  What would you think of that pastor?

That is what we see Jesus doing in Matthew 14:22-23.  He just fed over five thousand people miraculously with five loaves and two fish.  The crowd would have been a very captivated audience, and He sent them away.

“After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.”  (Matthew 14:23)

Jesus always made prayer and time with the Father a priority.  He did not allow the masses dictate how He spent His time; He did not allow the “needs” to control His schedule.  Neither should we.