“Jesus . . spent the night praying.” Luke 6:12 NIV.
Every care and consideration about your life should be handled with prayer.
My thoughts and comments today are, “handle with prayer.”
For all that you do know there is so much that none of us can know completely. For all your capabilities, there is so much of life’s responsibilities and possibilities that you will not successfully handle without help. Everyone likes to think they can handle whatever comes their way; and that seems to work until there is a crisis that requires more than your personal resources or abilities. That seems to be when people are eager to pray for God’s help and willing to accept the prayers anyone is willing to offer on their behalf. So many situations need to be handled with care; every care and consideration about your life should be “handled with prayer.” “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests . . and always keep on praying . .” See Ephesians 6:18 NIV.
Why should prayer be reserved only as a religious emergency exit from problems or as an emotional relief valve for occasional pressures? Prayer can and should be a suitable and valuable lifestyle. Jesus prayed frequently, often withdrawing from the crowds and relentless needs to simply talk with His Father. “Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” Luke 6:12 NIV. For Jesus, time with His Father was typical, not an exception. For Him, prayer was neither occasional, casual, nor brief. Jesus modeled the Bible’s expectation, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2 NIV.
There was something so appealing and desirable about His praying that the disciples requested of Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray!” See Luke 11:1 NKJV. The model that Jesus gave His disciples is as powerful and practical now as then. Read Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV. Recognize your relationship; reverence God at all times; acknowledge His sovereignty; pledge yourself to His will; receive daily needs gratefully; live in forgiveness; give forgiveness freely; avoid temptation; declare His “Kingdom and power and glory forever.”
I propose you consider this: if Jesus needed frequent times of prayer, why wouldn’t you and I require regular times of communion and communication with God even more? Prayer is not reserved for only the Biblically sophisticated or just those few who have the time or temperament; prayer is an essential lifestyle for all who recognize their need of spiritual resources beyond what they naturally possess. That description should encompass all who value their faith and prize their personal relationship with the Father and Savior.
Prayer should be sincere, serious, and specific. See James 5:16 NLT. Prayer deepens and sustains your growing relationship with God. Prayer focuses your heart and mind on what is eternal rather than momentarily pressing. See Philippians 4:6-8 NIV. Prayer aligns your spirit with God’s heart and will. See Romans 8:26-28 NLT. Prayer connects you with God’s purpose. See 1 John 5:14-15 NIV. The practice of prayer is simple enough for the youngest child to do. Listen to a child’s prayer. No wonder Jesus spoke of people who “receive the Kingdom of God as a little child.” See Luke 18:16-17 NKJV. Children pray with such innocence and faith, unspoiled by the complexities of doubt and circumstance. There is much to be learned from their example.
My prayer for you today is for you to enjoy rich fellowship with God in your daily practice of prayer.