The first thing you need to do when you want to make an appeal to your pastor is to have the right motives. Check your own heart first.

Second, have the right time.

Timing is important in cooking. The juicy hamburger on the grill is raw meat if cooked for too little time and a clump of charcoal if it is cooked too long.

Timing is important in medicine. If you catch a problem early you will be able to treat it more effectively.

Timing is important in finance. When you invest in a particular stock and when you sell the particular stock will make the difference between whether you make money or lose it.

Timing is important when making an appeal too. Here are three questions to ask yourself when considering if now is a good time to talk.

1. Is my pastor busy, bothered, or burdened? I have learned that Mondays and Thursdays are the worst times to talk to my pastor if I want his undivided attention. On Mondays he is tired from Sunday. On Thursdays, he is too busy getting ready for church on Thursday night.

2. Can my pastor freely concentrate on my appeal? Sometimes the office is the worst place to talk because of phone and email interruptions.

3. Are there any distractions? Here’s a thought. Making an appeal to your pastor after church on Sunday in the foyer is not smart. Agreed? Select a time and a place where distractions are minimal.

Timing is crucial. Esther knew this. In Esther 5:1-8 she made her appeal to the king and invited him and Haman to a banquet. She knew that timing was everything. So should we.