“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” ( James 5:16)
The prayer life of Jesus teaches us a lot about what is the most important key in our lives for a victorious life. We notice, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). Of course since Jesus had taken up the human body there must have been times when all seemed like a chore. But then he knew the most important gateway to any day had to start by talking to his father in heaven.
In another instance we also notice that while Jesus aware of the road of tribulations ahead, couldn’t help but go out to pray, it did not come so easily to his disciples. “Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” ( Mathew 26: 40-41). In fact, after leaving and getting back, “he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing” ( vv 43-44).
Now, these disciples were men who had walked with Jesus and knew a thing or so about the power of prayer. But here they were struggling. “Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? ..” (vv 45).
Like them, we too can struggle in our prayer life. Maybe on some days there is no need for prompting, but there could also be those slow days. Prayer takes effort and will. Jesus had all that; and we could do well to model our lives on his prayer life!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, victory starts with prayer and where sometimes the body is weak, may your spirit sustain me in prayer, to lead a victorious life in you, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
