Number 2: You can’t substitute anything for prayer. It’s easy for ministry people to think they can do it all. After all, we’re spiritual leaders and we’re suppose to have it all together, right? We can keep everything under control.

Several years ago I was talking to one of our deacons about a shortage of nursery workers (some things never change, huh?). I told him about all the attempts we had been making to get new workers. He asked me a simple question, “Have you prayed about it?” Gulp. After all, Jesus said to pray so that He would send the workers (Luke 10:2). I had been working my tail off trying get workers, but had neglected to ask the One who could send them.

Remember, there’s a lot of things you can do in the ministry. There is one thing you can’t: you can’t substitute anything for prayer.