.svg){kind=small}
In every Gospel, Jesus regularly took time to pray before engaging in major acts of ministry (Matt. 14:23, 26:36; Mark 14:32; Luke 5:16). The twelve disciples didn’t always understand what Jesus was doing or why. But they did recognize that prayer was important to him. After a failed attempt to heal a boy possessed by a demon, the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t heal the boy like he could (Mark 9:14-28). Jesus answered, “This kind can come out only through prayer” (Mark 9:29). After watching Jesus pray regularly and seeing the fruit of that prayer, the twelve disciples didn’t ask Jesus how to do miracles but how to pray (Luke 11:1).
Being intentional about sleep can be an act of faith. But it also ensures we are mentally and physically fit enough to continue the work God has called us to.
If Jesus, God incarnate, thought it was important to pray before engaging in ministry, who are we to minimize the importance of prayer in our ministry endeavors? In addition to Jesus’s teachings on prayer (Matt. 6:5-15; Luke 11:1-11), many passages in the Old and New Testaments emphasize the importance of prayer (1 Sam. 1:10-16; Dan. 6; 1 Thess. 5:16-18; James 5:13-16). A regular prayer life keeps us connected to God and in tune with the Spirit.
Often, we make plans first and then ask God to bless them. But when we are connected to God through prayer, we receive more guidance in the planning process and can be more confident that the work, whether ministry or other kingdom work, honors God (Prov. 19:21; Ps. 127:1). There are also physical and emotional benefits to prayer. A regular prayer life can reduce stress, increase empathy, and build relationships.
Sleep as Faith
Another important contemplative rhythm Jesus demonstrates is sleep.
The Gospels tell us that, after a long day of preaching and doing miracles, Jesus and the twelve disciples got into a boat to travel across the Sea of Galilee. Shortly after, a violent storm hit. Wind whipped water all over, and the seasoned fishermen frantically worked to keep the boat from sinking. Where was Jesus during all this? Helping to scoop out water? Trying to stabilize the sail before it was torn to shreds? No, Jesus was asleep (Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25).
Being busy and active without properly resting has become a badge of honor in many societies. Christians and non-Christians alike proudly proclaim, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-seeing. We can trust the God who neither slumbers nor sleeps (Ps. 121:3-4) to hold our lives together while we take a short nap or aim for a full night’s sleep. If we truly believe this, then we can lie down and sleep in peace (Ps. 4:8).
In addition, science has shown that sleep directly impacts our mental and physical health. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep “stimulates the areas of the brain that help with learning and is associated with increased production of proteins.” Deep sleep, a stage of non-REM sleep, strengthens our memories and immune systems. It also contributes to heart health, tissue and muscle repair, hormonal balance, and metabolism.
Solitude helps ensure that we are prioritizing God’s voice over the voices of other people.Broken systems in our world have created a context in which rest is something only the privileged can afford. But rest can come in many forms. While you may not be able to afford a weekend getaway, perhaps you can spend a few minutes in a local park. Or you can take some time simply to do something unproductive, be still and decompress, or create a safe space for yourself.
Being intentional about sleep can be an act of faith. But it also ensures we are mentally and physically fit enough to continue the work God has called us to. When we consider all of this, we can see rest as the gift from God that it truly is.
Reflection as Wisdom
The path of discipleship requires that we be willing to learn and grow in knowledge and wisdom. A model of learning in clinical pastoral education (CPE) is action/reflection/new action. In other words, you try an action, reflect on it, and try a new action based on what you learned. Organizations use a similar model when they take time to debrief what went well and what could have been improved after a program or event. This also resembles the scientific method: A hypothesis is created and tested. If the test doesn’t produce the expected results, data is reviewed. A new hypothesis is created, and the process starts over.
All these models have one thing in common: a time of reflection. After exhausting public ministry events, Jesus consistently spent extra time with the twelve disciples, sharing wisdom and insight that only they were privy to (Mark 4:10-11, 34; John 13:12-17). It was typical for disciples to live with their teacher; they were together even in the mundane moments. As such, Jesus was teaching the disciples even when he wasn’t actively teaching, and they were constantly learning.
Times of reflection allow us to celebrate successes and incorporate helpful strategies into our ministry. Reflection also empowers us to learn from our not-so-successful experiences, growing our humility as we ask for help. This can be done with others, but it is also important to do so in solitude, as Jesus did. Solitude helps ensure that we are prioritizing God’s voice over the voices of other people. Time by ourselves has also been found to focus our attention, increase productivity, make us better friends, and encourage creativity.
Refreshment as Rootedness
Lastly, times of refreshment—hobbies or activities you enjoy alone or with others—are also important in the life of a disciple. Jesus attended a lot of social events, from the wedding at Cana to numerous dinners with his disciples and even tax collectors (Matt. 9:9-13; Luke 7:36-50). Yes, ministry was happening at these events, but God created us to be social beings. Taking time to experience joy and connect with others uniquely nourishes our souls. We are more self-aware and grounded as a result, and gain strength and encouragement that allow us to continue to serve.
Only when we are fully ourselves and fully nourished can we give our full selves in service of the kingdom.
Jesus’s life on earth offers a beautifully balanced picture of contemplative activism. In addition to teaching and healing, Jesus prioritized prayer, rest, reflection, and refreshment. He engaged in spiritual practices to prepare for and learn from ministry. He always made time for solitude and for connecting with others through meaningful conversations and social events. To be more Christlike, therefore, means to consider our holistic needs—spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, and social—even as we pursue ministry. Only when we are fully ourselves and fully nourished can we give our full selves in service of the kingdom.
