Alignment Before Activity
Want to be productive? This is what you need to do at the start of each workweek.
When we think of productivity, we often think of getting things done. But in Jesus’ rhythm of work, prayer came before doing.
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
Mark 1:35
Jesus had just come from a full day of fruitful ministry. He taught at the synagogue, healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. Yet before another day began, He withdrew. He didn’t sleep in. He didn’t squeeze more output. He went to pray.
Prayer that Pushes Past Inconvenience
This kind of prayer costs us something—sleep, comfort, convenience. Even when physically tired, Jesus chose to rise early. Prayer wasn’t optional recovery time, but essential alignment time. Productivity begins here, in choosing what’s essential over what’s immediate.
When our schedules are full, prayer can feel like an interruption. But in truth, prayer is an invitation—to pause, realign, and remember Who is leading.
Prayer that Requires Effort
Jesus didn’t pray where He lay. He departed and went out. This kind of prayer isn’t lazy or hurried, but deliberate. There’s intention in setting the space and pace for communion with the Father.
Sometimes, effort is the expression of devotion. Leaving our bed, our desk, even our notifications may be the very thing that reorders our hearts.
Prayer that Focuses
Jesus went to a desolate place—a place without distraction, not even a risk of it. This was a space where the noise of others, even good and holy work (or good and holy others), couldn’t drown the Father’s whispers.
This kind of prayer isn’t just about solitude, but surrender. It’s creating stillness so that God’s voice becomes the first one we respond to.
On Productivity: First Things First
When we’re leading teams, families, businesses, or organizations, the pull of activity is strong. But if Jesus, in His being all-knowing and all-powerful, found it necessary to step back and pray, then how much more should we?
Prayer is not the opposite of productivity. At GraceWorkGrace, prayer is the origin and sustenance of faithful productivity.
Focus Prayers
There are different kinds and ways to pray, all equally important. Today let’s zoom in on the kind of prayer Jesus demonstrated in Mark 1:35 which we described here—let’s call it focus prayer.
When life is full, focus prayer keeps us from being led by demands and helps us be led by God’s agenda. It reminds us that productivity flows from alignment, not activity.
After Jesus’ time of focus prayer, His disciples found him and told him that there’s still so much to do, “Everyone is looking for you.” In Luke’s retelling, he wrote, “And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them.” But Jesus responded, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” (Luke 4:42–43) Focus prayer enables us to move from reaction to direction—from doing more to doing what matters most.
So before the first task, before the first email, before the first meeting, we need to begin the week with focus prayer—the kind where we withdraw to listen, to surrender, and to align. Let our leadership rhythm be, “Before I begin, I align.”
Whether at your work desk, in a quiet corner, or on a morning walk, let Mondays (or the first workday of your week) be marked by this rhythm. Allow God to lead your leadership—in leading yourself, others, and other leaders.
🪴 Try This
On your first workday of the week, before doing any other work, take 10–15 minutes for focus prayer.
Pause. Set aside a quiet place or moment, away from devices and distractions.
Pray. Ask God, “What do You want me to focus on this week?”
Plan. Note what comes to mind—people, priorities, projects—and place them in your calendar intentionally. Only after do you then fill the rest of your schedule with other things.
You can pair this with last week’s exercise on roles and “one thing” to realign your stewardship for the week from your focus prayer.
🙏🏻 Father, may prayer be a way of life for me and my family, including focus prayers. May our homes and our hearts be led not by what’s urgent, but by You.
If this helped you rethink productivity, share it with someone who needs grace at work today to help keep this space growing.