In yesterday’s devotion I shared many quotes by Peter Kreeft. One quote that really stuck out was the following: “Remembering the facts of death and Heaven gives us an even more pressing reason to learn to pray: We do not have an infinite amount of time. We are one day nearer Home today than we ever were before. I guarantee you that after you die you will not say ‘I spent too much time praying; I wish I had watched more TV instead.’”1
My friends not only do we not have an “infinite amount of time” to spend in prayer, but the decisions we make in how we spend our time here on earth can play a role in the eternal destinies of our family, friends, loved ones, and even strangers. For you see our prayers play a role in the salvation of those we pray for. While I freely admit I don’t understand everything about prayer, one thing I do know is that prayer works. I believe prayer plays a role in the salvation of souls and the more time we spend in prayer the more souls we will be able to usher into heaven.
Sadly, too many Christians spend more time watching TV than talking to the Lord through prayer, and while watching TV is not inherently wrong, our time is too precious to not give a good portion of it to petitioning the Lord for the salvation of souls. As I write this devotion, I am reminded of the words from a poem by missionary C. T. Studd:
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.2
If we want to make an eternal impact in the lives of those we encounter, may I suggest to you that time spent in prayer is the best investment we can ever make. As Christians a more vibrant prayer life will take sacrifice and a re-prioritization of how we spend our time, but in the end what can be more wonderful than knowing that our time spent in prayer plays a vital role in the salvation of those we pray for!