In preparing to preach this Saturday on Acts 6:1-7 I’ve found the apostles’ prioritization on prayer freshly challenging. And that’s the way it’s supposed to be, right? Which one of us would ever say we don’t desire to grow in devotion to prayer? I need to hear—surely I’m not the only one—this apostolic conviction again and again, “We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

From Disqualified to Distinguished

Thinking about Acts 6:4 always reminds me of a Spurgeon lecture entitled, “The Preacher’s Private Prayer.” His opening volley to the students will arrest any pastor’s attention. With typical confidence the Prince proclaims,

Of course the preacher is above all others distinguished as a man of prayer. He prays as an ordinary Christian, else he were a hypocrite. He prays more than ordinary Christians, else he were disqualified for the office which he has undertaken. “It would be wholly monstrous,” says Bernard, “for a man to be highest in office and lowest in soul; first in station and last in life.” Over all his other relationships the pre-eminence of the pastor’s responsibility casts a halo, and if true to his Master, he becomes distinguished for his prayerfulness in them all.

You’ll really want to read the rest here—pastoral and spiritual gold awaits. It may just be the most challenging and encouraging thing you do today.