In Luke 5:1-16, a leper is healed by Jesus. Sounds like Jesus had a busy day as verse 15 says "great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities." But verse 16 tells from where he draws his strength to go on for another day.
"But he would withdraw to desolate places to pray."Cross references indicate this was a continual practice for Jesus. With increasing numbers in the crowd that followed him and the demands on his time, even our Savior found he needed to spend considerable times in prayer. This reminded me of 1 Thessalonians 5:17;
"...pray without ceasing."
A few questions came to mind as I studied the Luke passage.
Am I in an attitude of prayer throughout my day?
Is my day marked by ongoing fellowship with God?
Am I aware of being in God's presence throughout the day?
What keeps me from spending time in God's presence on a regular basis?
I answered some of these questions by going to God's Word to use as my compass in praying. I pray God would...
- teach me the meaning of His statutes,
- fill me with Spirit so I will always keep them because
- I cannot keep His commandments in my own strength
- help me understand His instruction so I can keep His
law with all my heart, wanting to take pleasure in the path God has
set before me, helping me to stay on it.
I desperately want God to turn my eyes from looking at worthless things,
turning my heart to the Lord and not to material gain.
Longing for your decrees. Give me your heart O God.(Ps. 119:33-40)
And a desolate place to pray.
5 comments:
Good questions Jody. I am continually reminding myself to be more intentional. Even one step in the right direction is progress. Have a great week!
Hello Jody,
Those are some good questions to ask ourselves.
We all should definitely let Jesus be our example here. If He of all people had to go away by Himself to pray with the Father. How much more important is it for us to need to do the same thing.
I have found in my own personal experience that it is of a necessity to pull away from those around you sometimes so that you can be alone with the Father in prayer. Isolating ourselves can be a good thing as long as we don't find ourselves remaining there for tremendously long periods. Jesus is our example there as well, because He would always return.
God bless you :)
Hey Jodi,
Very good questioning for self awarness.
Isn't it amazing to develope these patterns of questioning ourself in order to check our spiritual relationship(s)?
Thanks for the reminder to get back to basics.
Jim
It's always great to hear from all of you. Have a great week.
I find that it is in the stillness that I can "hear" God the best. I think that's why we are so encouraged to seek out our quiet time each day...
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