Too Busy?

We discuss prayer, and we talk about the importance of prayer in our lives. Many of us pray for things like peace, help, and healing. Prayer such as this is okay, but there is more to prayer than just things; there is more to prayer than worship.

Jesus and Prayer

If we examine the life of Jesus, we find that prayer was a constant staple in His life and His connection to the Father. In Luke 5:12, Jesus heals a leprous man. The man came to Jesus in faith, believing that if it were the will of Jesus to heal him, Jesus would heal him. Jesus did heal the man, but at the same time, Jesus told the man not to tell anyone but the priests. In Luke's Gospel, there is no explanation for the man to keep silent. Perhaps Jesus did not want his notoriety to spread before the appointed time.

Interestingly, Jesus told the man to go to the priests and show himself to them. I believe Jesus made a point with the priests; I healed this man; it's a miracle; if I am not who I said I am, how did I accomplish this miracle? Jesus was like that, pulling off a miracle and telling the recipient to stay silent. Of course, most of them did not.

Because of Jesus's healing, He withdrew to "lonely places" (Luke 5:16, 6:12-13). Here, Jesus immersed himself in prayer, communing with the Father. All four gospels tell us that Jesus often spent long periods in prayer. If we are not careful, we will miss just how important this is for us and was for Jesus. Jesus needed to remain connected to the Father and Spirit as the second person of the Trinity. This connection was always present in the Trinity; it had been that way before time. As the incarnate Son of God, it was even more critical. Jesus drew strength from the Father. Jesus needed this because His work as our mediator drained Him of his power. We see this in Luke 8:46-48, "But Jesus said, "Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me." And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." Jesus felt the healing power come out of his body; it is understandable that through prayer, Jesus would grow strong again through His contact with the Father. Also, remember that even during His passion, Jesus prayed. The difference here is that Jesus became separated from God, suffering and paying for our sins as He was human and God. Even though separated from the Father, Jesus still prayed, which I imagine gave Him strength to fulfill the Father's plan of redemption. He died a physical death, rising later from the dead in bodily form, the form of the Son of God that He had always been since the beginning of time.

What is Good for the Lamb is Good for the Sheep

If Jesus needed prayer, our Savior, the Messiah, needed and immersed Himself in prayer. How much more then is prayer essential to us? We must commune with the Father; it is where we draw our strength as Christians. Many times, in prayer and meditation, God reveals things to us. God will reveal things to us that we may not even be struggling with, and we are like, "Hey, I get it; I just had a moment of clarity." That's the Spirit edifying us, guiding us. We need to spend time in prayer. It helps us grow as Christians.

Time to Recharge

We are all busy running here and running there, but we can find a time when it is just us and God. Mine is during my morning commute. When is your time? Pray and get your Christian batteries recharged, then, like a megaphone, spread the Gospel. Spread it!