Jesus and Prayer

Daily Reading: Luke 22

Scripture Focus: And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed. (Luke 22.41)

Devotional Thought: Before Jesus was arrested, he made his way to Gethsemane and prayed. What do we learn about prayer in Gethsemane?

· Jesus came out to pray. When I am working in my office, and someone comes in to talk with me, I usually get up and move away from my desk. Why? Because if I don’t get away from my work, it will be a constant distraction. In the same way, prayer demands our attention.

· Jesus had a custom of praying. Jesus didn’t just pray when he felt like it. He prayed on a schedule, with regularity.

· There were some things that Jesus had to pray for by himself. When it came time to talk to his Father about his deepest requests, Jesus withdrew even from his disciples. There are some things you can only say to God!

· Jesus’ disciples followed him in prayer. Jesus did not always pray alone. Prayer is often a group activity. We gain strength, wisdom and direction from one another as we pray together.

· Jesus encouraged prayer as a means of overcoming temptation. At the beginning of his ministry, it was forty days of prayer that helped Jesus overcome the temptations of the devil. He knew that his disciples would need that kind of strength, too.

· Jesus knelt down to pray. Though he was God’s Son, Jesus showed humility and respect to his Father.

· As he prayed, Jesus placed his will beneath the Father’s will. Not only did Jesus respect his Father, he obeyed him. The two are inextricably connected.

· Jesus’ prayer brought the presence of comforting angels. I’ve never seen an angel. I doubt that you have either. But, that doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

Take time to pray today!

Prayer: What a gift is prayer, O Lord! Thank you for the amazing opportunity to come to you, and for the assurance that you hear us and answer our prayers, according to your wisdom and will. In Jesus' name, amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 144.9-15

9 I will sing a new song to you, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you, 10 who gives victory to kings, who rescues David his servant from the cruel sword. 11 Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, whose mouths speak lies and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

12 May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace; 13 may our granaries be full, providing all kinds of produce; may our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields; 14 may our cattle be heavy with young, suffering no mishap or failure in bearing; may there be no cry of distress in our streets! 15 Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!