As we run our race, it is important to cultivate the art of exerting ourselves. No one will prosper greatly who does not exert himself in his profession. This statement is especially true of Christians. We must exert ourselves in studying the word of God, every man for himself, and in continuous prayers, every man for himself. To be lazy is to hope we can get by on a few nuggets of truth here and there or a word of prayer from this fellow and that fellow. The promise of the New Testament is that every man will know God for himself (Jer. 31:34, Heb. 8:11). The premise of our call as believers is that every Christian will be a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:3).

The challenge to spend time in God’s word and in prayers is not only for the clergy. All of us have a duty to grow our spirits and renew our minds with the Word. Do not be a lazy Christian. Read the Bible. Read it every day. Check things you have heard from others for yourself in the Bible – do not take anyone’s word for it. And be sure to spend time praying, every day.