Scripture
1 Samuel 12:23 “As for me, I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right.”
Observation
There are two main responsibilities for spiritual leaders.
1) Spiritual leaders pray for their people
2) Spiritual leaders teach the Bible to their people.
This agree with what Peter said in Acts 6:4 “”and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word.” The Apostles turned over the administration of the food program to the deacons so they could focus on their priorities. Their priorities were the same as Samuel’s.
Application
As a pastor I can stay busy doing many things but the most important things I can do is 1) prayer and 2) teach the Bible. I have to set my priorities and have the discipline to follow through. I cannot become so busy that I neglect prayer and the Bible. I cannot get distracted by the urgent that I forget the important.
Prayer
I ask that you produce the fruit of self control in me. I desire to be disciplined in how I spend my time. Impress upon my heart today my priorities as a pastor. Enable me to spend adequate time in prayer and ministry of the Word. I want to be a good leader. The world screams to me what they want me to do but I want to focus on what God wants me to do. I want his priorities to be my priorities.
