How Often Do You Pray?

I get up early and walk. This morning, the sky was beautiful.  There were clouds and the sun was reflecting off of them. Everything was aglow with pinks and yellow. The morning air was crisp but it was amazingly quiet.  It was a wonderful time to talk to God and to listen to God.  How often do you go to a lonely place and pray?

Jesus was so popular that He often intentionally went to “lonely places” to pray. (Luke 5:16) This probably is why He didn’t want the man He healed of leprosy to tell anyone. (vs. 14) “The news spread about him all the more, so the crowds of people came.” (vs. 15)   Luke clearly tells us that time spent with His Father was a priority.  He often went away to pray before major events. Luke 6:12-16 tells us about Jesus going away to pray before He choose the twelve disciples and 9:18 tells about Jesus praying before He predicted His death.  11:1 says Jesus prayed before His teaching on prayer and 23:34 He prayed while being crucified, and just before He died. (Vs. 46)

The Gospels are full of examples of Jesus teaching the multitudes, healing the sick and diseased.  This clearly showed us Christ’s mission to “seek and save the lost”. (Luke 19:10) He was busy and He often went to lonely places where he could talk to God.  It is good for us to remember that Jesus often withdrew to a place he could pray.  We are to be the same way!  We need to spend time with the Father,  who can fill us to overflowing. Find the time and a place to pray today!

Prayer: Thank you Father, for the reminder that we all need to have time to spent with You. We all need Your grace and strength to renew our soul.  Amen.

Luke 5:16 – Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Author: Tommy Herndon