Podcast Summary

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Episode: Give Time To Prayer, Part Three | Nancy Dufresne | Jesus the Healer Broadcast
Date: August 13, 2020
Host/Speaker: Pastor Nancy Dufresne

Episode Overview

In this episode, Pastor Nancy Dufresne continues her teaching on the importance of dedicating time to prayer, emphasizing that spiritual growth and effectiveness hinge on how believers prioritize time with God amid the distractions of daily life. She examines practical ways to maintain a vibrant prayer life, challenges common misconceptions about who is "called" to prayer, and unpacks biblical examples of distraction—offering wisdom for cultivating spiritual discipline in a modern, distraction-filled age.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Importance of “Time” in Spiritual Development

• Main idea: Experiencing the fullness of God requires dedicated time in the Word, in prayer, and in the Spirit.

  • Quote: “For us to move into the fullness of what God has for us, it's going to take time on our parts, time in the word, time in prayer, time in the Spirit.” (00:08)

• Not just seclusion: Time with God isn’t limited to isolated moments. Believers are encouraged to maintain a spiritual connection to God even while engaged in daily responsibilities.

  • Quote: “We have to learn how to, when we're out among daily duties and responsibilities, still keep our heart turned toward God…we don’t break spiritual stride.” (00:34)

2. Skillfulness in Prayer Is a Result of Dedication, Not Special Calling

• Pastor Nancy challenges the idea that only some are “called” to prayer, affirming that effectiveness in prayer comes from giving oneself to it.
  • Quote: “If someone is developed and skillful in prayer, it's for one reason: they gave themselves to it.” (03:16)

3. The Dangers of Distraction

• Biblical foundation: Pastor Nancy references Mark 4:18-19 (Amplified): the “distractions of the age” can suffocate the Word and make it unfruitful.

  • Quote (reading Scripture): “…the cares and anxieties of the world and…the distractions of the age…they choke and suffocate the word and it becomes fruitless.” (05:22)
  • Teaching point: Every age has its own distractions that can rob believers of spiritual development if not managed wisely.

• Historical context: She contrasts past and present distractions, noting that even though modern conveniences save time, they have introduced new kinds of distractions—such as technology and recreational overindulgence.

4. Martha and Mary: A Case Study in Distraction

• Luke 10:38-42 is discussed as a vivid biblical example.

• Martha welcomes Jesus but is distracted by the duties of hospitality, while Mary chooses to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to His teaching.

  • Quote: “When people are distracted with the wrong things, they get frustrated with people who are tending to the right things, and they get frustrated that you're not as frustrated as they are.” (12:00)
  • Quote (about Jesus’ rebuke): “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion.” (13:56)

• Key lesson: Even good and legitimate activities can become spiritually dangerous when they crowd out time with God. Martha’s distraction led her to mislabel what was truly important.

5. Modern Distractions: Technology and Mindset

• The “distractions of the age” are especially acute today, from mobile devices in church to over-scheduled family activities.

  • Quote: “How many today…sitting in church, using a device, texting a friend, looking at emails, surfing the web…during a church service—you talk about a distraction of the age!” (19:40)

• Pastor Nancy encourages practical changes, such as reading a physical Bible if digital devices are too distracting.

  • Quote: “Distractions are expensive. They will cost you so, so much.” (21:13)

6. The Cost of Distraction: A Personal Story

• Nancy shares a personal account of preaching at a church where a pastor was distracted at the very moment he needed to hear a life-altering message.
  • Quote: “He had no idea that he was getting ready to miss the rescue for his life. The devil will love to send an undisciplined thought life and send all kinds of distractions your way…” (23:15)
• Lesson: Distraction can cause believers to miss God’s answers for their lives, sometimes at a great and unseen cost.

7. Practical Applications and Warnings

• Believers are urged to self-examine what distractions steal their focus and to take authority over those patterns—with God’s help.

  • Quote: “We don’t have to yield to those distractions. We can make adjustments in our life and recognize distractions and get rid of them.” (25:37)

• Even legitimate recreational and family activities must have their proper measure; overindulgence can hinder spiritual growth.

• The example of Kathryn Kuhlman is shared to illustrate the necessity of sacrificing certain freedoms for a higher calling and effectiveness in ministry.

  • Quote (attributing Kuhlman): “I cannot live my life like other women. Others can go and shop and have a social life. … The outcome of people's lives are depending on me spending time with God.” (26:32)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On discipline in spiritual growth:
  “The more time we give to the things of the Spirit, the more time we give to prayer, the more we’re going to develop in these things. The less time we give, the slower we’re going to develop.” (02:05)

• On being present vs. being attentive:
  “So many times people think, well, I'm present in the church service. And so they think that they’re developing spiritually. But you know what? If our faith isn’t growing…our spiritual life is not developing.” (24:47)

• On training family priorities:
  “They train their family in the recreational life more than in the spiritual life. That will end up costing something.” (26:00)

Important Timestamps

• 00:08 — Theme introduction: The role of “time” in spiritual growth
• 03:16 — Demystifying the “call” to prayer: It's about devotion
• 05:22 — Reading and expounding Mark 4:18–19 on “distractions of the age”
• 10:22 — Examples of historical and modern distractions
• 12:00 — Frustration as a sign of misplaced priorities (Martha & Mary)
• 13:56 — Jesus’ rebuke of Martha: Prioritizing real spiritual food
• 19:40 — Modern digital distractions in church
• 21:13 — Advice: Use a physical Bible to avoid device-based distractions
• 23:15 — Story about a distracted pastor and the lost opportunity
• 25:37 — Encouragement to self-examine and remove distractions
• 26:00 — Families and recreational priorities
• 26:32 — Kathryn Kuhlman’s quote on the necessity of consecrated time
• 27:10 — Concluding prayer and self-reflection invitation

Conclusion

Pastor Nancy Dufresne’s message centers on the vital discipline of intentionally prioritizing time in prayer and the Word. She challenges listeners to recognize and break the grip of distraction—both new and old—to fully receive from God. The episode is a practical, heartfelt exhortation to cherish and protect the divine privilege of spiritual fellowship in a world eager to claim every spare moment.