Enjoy “The Example of Christ” in your Why Pray? book, then consider the following scriptures! Luke 6 12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostle.
Hebrews 5 7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Reading Day 13 in “Why Pray?” took me down a couple of thought paths – one of which I am not too proud of! You see as I began reading and realized we were getting a review of Jesus’ need for prayer I began to shut down. I have been down this road before – Jesus prayed before picking His disciples! – Jesus prayed before facing Satan! – Jesus prayed before going to the cross! I began to move to auto pilot as if traveling through the familiar territory of mind numbing sameness. In fact, ( Again, let me emphasize, I am not proud of these thoughts) I was even beginning to get a little ticked at the author for relentlessly repeating this theme “Pray First?” and now bringing in Jesus’ lifestyle to support the mandate! I was ready for some new insight or catchy illustration (which I have come to expect) and I just got stories! Stories of Jesus I have read before.
All these thoughts passed through my mind in a matter of seconds until crashing into another “voice”, “impression”, “conscience” whatever you want to call it saying to me, “You arrogant little man! You want to be impressed and yet you are on the verge of missing the very encouragement your life cries out for! You and those who think like you are probably why the Holy Spirit has directed John Devries to be so relentless in the call to Pray First – First – First! You are the very guy, mr. weiser, that will so quickly leave the call to ‘pray first’ for the call to ‘figure it out’ or better yet the call to ‘just procrastinate’”!
Yes I felt like a little man – no, more like a little boy as the Holy Spirit gave me a reality check! So … … … I started over - reading the chapter again -seeking to practice what does not come naturally to me – humility! With this slightly altered lens I saw things differently. I saw my Jesus, my fully God, Jesus, voluntarily walking the human path – the same path I walk. Jesus, my fully human Jesus, not accessing His divine capability to get Him out of scrapes or to alleviate His own inconvenience or to be more efficient – No I saw my fully human Jesus access His Father’s will, provision, strength, wisdom, direction, etc. through prayer – the same means to the same resources that my Father has for me – prayer! I am humbled and overwhelmed by my Jesus! He so needed prayer because He, in the fullness of His human experience, desperately needed all His Father had for Him to face all His father planned for Him.
I so desperately need to access all my Father has for me to face all my Father plans for me! That is so cool! I am discovering that life is not so much me “making things happen” but rather me “discovering what God already has happening and me joyfully joining in”! Thanks John Devries for being relentless in calling us to pray and pray first!
How is the praying for the families on your list going! I encourage you to spend some time “praying first” for whatever you face with an expectation of discovery! Pray also for the families He has brought to your mind – focusing the spotlight of His love on them.
Thanks to all who have been commenting! Your words are insightful, inspirational and thought provoking. I applaud your courage! Let’s keep it up! Please join in even if it’s your first time to comment! I can’t wait to see where the conversation takes us today!
-delton