If Jesus prayed, then you must too!
This week, we’ve been exploring good reasons to pray. So far, we’ve covered that prayer is important because it:
- Pleases God
- Shifts your focus from your problems to the Problem-Solver
- Protects you from temptations
- Builds your relationship with God
- Is effective
- Produces perseverance, character, and hope
But just in case all of the above is still not enough reason for you, I’ve saved the best and most compelling one for last: you should pray because Jesus did it too!
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
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. – Luke 5:16
If even Jesus, who is God, needed to pray, we definitely need to pray!
Throughout the gospels, we see that Jesus made it a habit to withdraw to quiet, desolate places to spend time in prayer. It was a priority: before ministering, after ministering, no matter how many people He healed that day, Jesus made time to pray.
Before He began his public ministry, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to fast and pray for 40 days and 40 nights (Matthew 4:1-2).
And right before His crucifixion, while facing the most intense and terrifying part of His time on earth, He asked the disciples to watch and pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-40).
If Jesus prioritised prayer in every season, circumstance and condition, then you most certainly should too!
I encourage you to reflect on your prayer life and set a time for yourself each day to spend in prayer. Maybe the best time for you is right after waking up or perhaps just before bed. Whatever time you choose, stick with it and make it a priority!
