Prayer

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

Matt 14:23  After He dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray...

Mark 1:35  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.

Jesus had no Bible. (although I am sure He knew the Word).  That was kept at the local temple.  There was no notebook and pen, or computer to journal or jot down any notes in.  He had no insightful books or daily devotionals written by inspired Christian authors.   No music by which to worship, though perhaps He sang songs on His own.  He prayed.  He talked.  He listened.  He communed with the Father and the Spirit in prayer.  This says something to me, this prayer habit of Jesus'.

I spend lots of time studying in the Word.  And that is great.  We should spend as much time as we can reading, studying, fellowshipping with the Word of God.  It is what renews our minds and gives instruction, admonition, encouragement and truth.  I love reading books written by Christians  inspired and stirred by the Holy Spirit to share the beautiful truths and helpful applications He give them.  I have been aided beyond measure by some of these books.  But there is something about the constant need during my "God time" for sensory input that seems to give the one thing Jesus had, prayer, second billing.

A few weeks or so ago, the Lord revealed to me my need to sit and meditate after all my reading and studying, allowing the Holy Spirit to process within me the lessons and information He taught and shared during that time.  This is supposed to be my time of prayer with Him that I neglect.  Not only time to allow the Word to penetrate and renew my mind, take root in my heart and uplift my spirit, but time to bring my needs and the needs of others to the throne of God, to thank Him for meeting our needs and to worship Him for who He is.  Time for prayer.

I got to thinking, perhaps this is one of the reasons the persecuted church is able to stand strong in the face of horrific circumstances--having the least availability of Christian materials, even Bibles, they spend the most time just communing with God, and hold Him all the more tightly, clinging to Him in prayer.

Not that I don't pray.  But sometimes it feels more like a quick, "oh I got to pray for such and such" kind of thing.  Less purposeful and deliberate than it should be. Jesus took fixed and purposed time for prayer.  This definitely takes practice and discipline.  Just trying to sit quietly and listen for 2 minutes drives me crazy....songs start going through my head, "oh, I need another sip of coffee...perhaps I should get up and get a second cup."  Then to do lists makes an appearance...on and on the distractions come !! LOL

Through the article I was reading in "In Touch" (great inspired Christian material! helpful and needful!) I was brought to Ps 63:1-8

    O, God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You: my soul thirsts for You in a     dry and weary land where there is no water.  I have seen You in the            sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your glory.  Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You.  I will praise You as long as I live and in Your name I will lift up my hands.  My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods, with singing lips my mouth will praise You.  On my bed I remember You; I think of You through the watches of the night.  Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings.  My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.

A picture of time spent in prayer, in intimate communion with the Lord.  Prayer is to become as necessary as breathing to me.  My refreshment, my food, my fulfillment, my protection and my joy.

So after all this, I spent some time at the close of my morning "God time" putting this into practice.   Of course the distractions came...geez, I will be glad to get past that part of this discipline !!!  I then went for my morning (or some mornings...not all, not anywhere near the amount it should be) run.  And as is my practice I put on my Joyce M podcast (yet another inspired Christian used as a tool by the Holy Spirit...thank you!).  The message was on interrupting Satan's plan.  And what was a good part of the message about?   You guessed it--PRAYER, even down to the part of it being like breathing !!  Is God not amazing?  Teaches then confirms. GOD VISIT !!!

Lord lead me in this school of prayer.  I want to unlock the mystery, the power, the fulfillment of prayer.  I want to cling to You, draw near to You, nearer than yesterday.  I want to live in the shadow of Your wings.  It's You that I need more than even air.  Start the connection.  Let's pray.