Good morning, beloved,
We had gotten very busy. Every night packed with activities, places to take the kids, we were going in a million different directions and the important, the really important was beginning to fall away. It was amazing how what had once been habits in our family became distant memories as the nights became later and family members were tugged in opposite directions.
As all of our activities began to wind down, and we began to breath again, our Danny came into our room very late one night. He confessed that he missed our nightly times of prayer together as a family and wondered why we weren’t doing it anymore. He wasn’t sleeping as well. He missed his family.
Out of the mouths of babes.
So, we have begun again. And so we start as we mean to go on. On our bed last night, sprawled across, four very sleepy children praying with us. It’s not perfect, it’s messy. They don’t all pray. This isn’t a five hour long worship service. But we are together and we are ending the day in prayer. In fact, some complained.
Prayer. What a word. How often it slips from our mouth, right? I’ll pray for you. Can you? In times of national tragedy.. Say your prayers. What is effective prayer? We search for it. What touches the heart of God? How do we pray? Where is the best place? SO many questions.
Jesus walked this earth and in scouring the Gospels I believe we learn a blessed amount about prayer. Join me.
He worshiped His heavenly Father. Always.
Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
Luke 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened..
He went to be alone to pray. Jesus understood the necessity of time alone with the Father.
Matthew 14:23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone…
Mark 1: 35 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.
Luke 5:16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Luke 6: 12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.
Luke 9: 18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
In deep sorrow…
Matthew 26:39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me;nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.
Before eating…
Matthew 15: 36 he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
Matthew 26: 26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you,
Pray over others…
Matthew 19:13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray.
How do you categorize this one? 🙂
Luke 9: 28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure,b]”>[b] which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.
Teaching us to pray…
Luke 11:Now Jesus[a] was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say:
“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread,b]”>[b]
4 and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”
One prayer I have failed to mention and one of my favorites, is the one found in John 17. This prayer of Jesus’ has most commonly been called the High Priestly Prayer.
John 17
More on this prayer soon.
For now, what has captured me is this: when didn’t Jesus pray? And if the Son of God prayed all the time how much more do I need constant communication with the Father?
Pray on. pray on…
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Thank you for the encouraging reminder of what truly matters…
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