November 24, 2004

THE MAN OF PRAYER

"Now it came to pass in those days that He [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God" (Luke 6:12, NKJV).

One of the most striking portraits of Jesus in the four gospels is that of "The Man of Prayer." Dr. Luke has more to say about the "Man of Prayer" than any other Gospel writer.

The prayer life of Jesus was extraordinary. To Him, prayer was essential to life itself. His prayer life was so intense that He often spent entire nights in some secluded place talking to God. Jesus frequently broke into spontaneous conversation with His heavenly Father. Prayer was as natural to Him as breathing or the beating of the heart. No wonder He taught His disciples that "men ought always to pray" (Luke 18:1).

Every major event, decision, or crisis in Christ's life and ministry was preceded by intense prayer. Just before His first missionary tour in Galilee, Jesus prayed intensely in a solitary place (see Mark 1:35). The night prior to the ordination of the twelve apostles was spent in earnest prayer (see Luke 6:12, 13). At His transfiguration. He discussed His approaching suffering and death with three disciples and prayed for strength to endure (see Luke 9:28-31). Jesus also dedicated the entire night following the triumphal entry to prayer. Only hours before His crucifixion, our Saviour offered the most moving prayer of His life in the Garden of Gethsemane (see Matthew 26:36-44).

"To the secret place of the Most High... men now and then repair; they abide for a season, and the result is manifest in noble deeds; then their faith fails, the communion is interrupted, and the life-work marred. But the life of Jesus was a life of constant trust, sustained by continual communion; and His service for heaven and earth was without failure or faltering"--Signs of the Times, February 3, 1904.

My Prayer Today: Lord, help me to copy the prayer life of the "Man of Prayer." Like the disciples, I ask, "Lord, teach me to pray." Amen.