TEACH US TO PRAY... Sunday

Devotional for 3/30/14

Jesus gives us many good examples of prayer.  He was able to see when he needed to pray and that sometimes he needed to do so in lonely and solitary places: 

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Luke 5:16 NIV 

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."  Mark 1:35 NIV 

When he was about to be arrested and crucified, he again withdrew from even his disciples in sorrow and anguish to pray: 

  Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”  He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."  Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I will, but as you will"   Matthew 26:36-39  NIV 

Jesus then repeated this 2 more times, always ending with acknowledging that the result ultimately would be the Father's will, not his own.  It is also acceptable for us to ask for something that we may not receive, as long as the prayer is in faith and honesty and without improper motives.  His prayer also shows us that it is not wrong for us to be sorrowful and troubled - it is a normal part of life even for a Christian.  And when we are in that state, we can come to God in prayer: 

 "LORD, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you.  May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry."  Psalm 88:1-2 NIV 

Even in our darkest hour we can come before God in prayer, acknowledging that He is the one who saves us and gives us eternal life in heaven.  We can cry out to him and pour out our troubles to him, asking that he listen to our requests for help and comfort.  He will be there listening and will answer even if the answer is "no", or "not yet", or "later".  An answered prayer does not always mean He answered yes. God always answers our prayers when they are prayed with a faithful heart and in the name of Jesus.  He answers not because of anything we have done but because of what  Jesus did to save us through his death and resurrection. 

Thank you, Lord, for always being there for me, for always listening, and for answering in the way that is best - according to your will.  In Jesus' name,  Amen.

written by 
Jan Andersen

Today's song is sung by Nicole C. Mullen "Call On Jesus"