Today I learned of a Christian ministry that expects each employee to spend 10% of their time in prayer. In fact, they offer three corporate prayer times throughout the week because they put such a high value on prayer.
I was intrigued by this, particularly because it brought to mind another organization, one Jerry and I worked for many years ago. When the job offers were made to us we were told that one of the reasons we were hired was because they realized they had strayed from their Christian roots and thought we could help them return.
Many Christians served in leadership and on the staff at this company, though not all employees were Christian. Soon after employment, we asked the Executive Director 
about starting an optional prayer time for staff. Those who wanted to pray together could join us on their lunch hour. The idea was approved. We were encouraged as the size of the group grew along with the intensity of the prayers. We were seeing God answer some of our requests, which fueled the desire to continue praying together.
Several weeks into this journey we were told by the Executive Director that the prayer time had to stop. When asked why, the response was, “it is costing us too much money.” He was referring to wages of those who prayed when they could have been working.
Sadly our group disbanded, and it wasn’t long until we left that organization.
Isn’t it interesting to consider one company who finds it is too costly to pray, and another who finds it too costly not to pray?
The cost or value of prayer cannot be measured simply in dollars and cents. How do I know? Because too often I think I am just too busy to pray. How ridiculous is that to believe my plans are so much more important than talking and listening to my Creator, Lord and King?
I am not at the place Martin Luther was when he said, “I have so much to do today that I’m going to need to spend three hours in prayer in order to be able to get it all done.” I am slowly learning that when my schedule, “to do list,” and my heart are packed full it will be too costly not to pray.
YOUR TURN: What is something you do when you are trying to grow your prayer life? When you are busy how do you make prayer a part of your day?