To give yourself totally to your work or ministry takes not only dedication but much energy
and great will power. Where will this energy come from? Eventually it will become clear that
on your own you can become very tired and drained and even bored with facing the same
obstacles that never seem to be addressed. Only if you can tap into the deep waters of a rich
prayer life will you be able to sustain enthusiasm day after day after year.
What kind of prayer life would it take to keep you ever open to something new and exciting?
Maybe it has everything to do with your relationship with Christ. St. Paul says, “It is not I that
live but Christ who lives in me.” Is your prayer life mainly concerned with your needs and
wants? That kind of prayer can only go so far. For St. Paul his prayer consisted in letting go of
his needs long enough to consider and even surrender to what Christ wanted. His experience
of Christ was so identified with his life that it was Christ living and working through him that
enabled him to accomplish so much that has lasted through the centuries. In prayer we too
can ask Christ to live in us and act through us. This kind of prayer will give us the energy and
sustainability for our ministry as well as keep us enjoying the surprises that will come as a
result. We will be refreshed with the deep waters of faith, hope and love.
• Do you sometimes find yourself drained of energy for your work or ministry?
• Does your prayer life open you to receive God’s love in Christ?
• What effects does your prayer life have on your work or ministry?
O God, help me be open to receive your presence in my life and in my work or ministry.