THE SECRET OF EFFECTIVENESS

by Violet Nesdoly (reprinted from September 21, 2010)

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 5:12-32

TO CHEW ON: “However the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed of their infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” Luke 5:15-16

If anyone had an excuse for not having the time and energy to pray, it was Jesus. Wherever He went, the crowds gathered. Even times he set aside for relaxation, or wanted stillness to grieve were hijacked by the multitudes. They followed this captivating teacher and compassionate healer wherever He went, around lakes, up mountainsides and into isolated places.

Jesus’ deity did not trump His fatigue either. For we see Him after one long day fast asleep in a storm-tossed boat.

However, He never used the excuse that He was too busy or too tired to pray. Instead He made opportunities to commune with His father in a variety of times and ways. For He knew that His power for ministry was linked at the very artery/vein level, to prayer. Note the word “So” in our focus verse. The people were coming to Him to be taught and healed. So (thus) He needed to pray.

Sometimes He climbed mountains to pray.

At other times He went into the wilderness (our focus verse).

If the day ahead promised to be busy, He rose early.

If the burden was strong, He prayed all night.

It was out of His prayer time that He gave vital instruction.

But He didn’t push the obligation to pray onto His disciples at this point. Though He acknowledged the need for prayer in accomplishing feats of supernatural power, and spoke of its importance in various places, He waited for the disciples to come to Him and ask for prayer teaching. It was after they watched Him during one time of prayer that they finally requested: “Teach us to pray.”

In the light of Jesus’ example, I ask myself:
– Do I make the time and opportunity to pray? Or do I make excuses about why I don’t pray?
– Do I start my day and my projects with prayer?
– Do I deal with life’s heavy times first in prayer?
– Do I let the insights I gain during times of prayer inform my living?
– Am I a continuing student of prayer?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I love the example You set in prayer. Please teach me to pray. Amen.