Comparing Prices

I’m sure it doesn’t provide an “aha!” revelation in your life for me to point out the fact that having a regular, intentional, relationship-deepening, power-producing prayer life comes with a time cost. Because this is a generally understood truth, many of God’s soldiers figuratively compare price tags and projected outcomes when it comes to how they choose to spend their time. Whether consciously or unconsciously, they compare what they determine to be the return on investment of a focused prayer time with the lengthy to-do list of all they need to do, want to do, and are expected to do in a day’s time.

Too often after checking these costs, personal prayer time – which let’s face it, isn’t exactly a “squeaky wheel” kind of activity that demands most folks’ attention – is put back on the rack in favor of what we consider the more urgent demands of life and time.

I wonder… Have we ever thought that not praying might actually be even more expensive, even more costly to us in ways we may not have bargained for?

Bramwell Booth’s wife, Florence Booth, while serving as the British Commissioner, warned officers about this very danger. In an address during an Officers’ Councils, she pointed out,

“What you are, to a great extent, your people will become, and you must be men and women of prayer in order to raise up a praying people. Officers who neglect private prayer must sooner or later fail. (emphasis mine – W)

“In some notes, ‘Half Hours with my Guide,’ Mrs. Brengle tells that as a young Officer, she was losing power and joy, and was asked by a comrade whether she was giving the necessary time for her own spiritual life and growth. She replied: ‘I can’t spare the time: there is so much work to do!’ (Can I get a witness?! Is there an “amen” from a reader or two? – W) The answer was: ‘Who will do your work when you have backslidden?’ From that day forward, Mrs. Brengle made time for the necessary secret communion with God.

“ ‘Who will do your work when you have backslidden?’ A wise question, wasn’t it? …Because you are so very busy, are you making the mistake of thinking that prayerless activity will suffice?” (GREAT question! How do you answer it? – W)
– Commissioner Florence Booth
Powers of Salvation Army Officers

You know, no one sets out to intentionally backslide. I’ve never met anyone who has said, “I think I’ll deliberately let my prayer life slip to the point that I’m completely powerless, and backslidden.” That’s just not a temptation the enemy puts in our path. What he does whisper in our ear, however, comes from a different angle but produces the same results. You see, he would have us buy the idea that skipping over prayer time is less costly than it really is. A missed day here, a neglected devotional time there… C’mon, it's no big deal, right? But the hidden cost of these lost meetings with God adds up like interest on an overdue credit card bill. Before we know it, we’re in a hole far deeper than we ever intended, wondering how we got there. Here’s a principle: Sin always costs more than the price tag advertises.

So next time you think that you can’t afford the time to meet with God, compare the prices.

Keep your altar ready and your fire hot…!

Willis