The Priority of Prayer

I have in my file of family keepsakes an old cardboard plaque that says, "The Family That Stays Together, Prays Together". During my teenage years, I saw those powerful words every time I descended the stairs from my bedroom in that old farm house. We gathered around the table, ate breakfast, and then Dad would read from the Bible and the Daily Bread devotion. Then he would lead in prayer, always asking God to help us "do well in school". That sacred routine established by my godly parents helped to establish in my heart the importance of daily involvement in the Word of God and prayer.

From cover to cover, from Genesis to Revelation, the Bible emphasizes the importance of prayer. Prayer was obviously important to Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, etc. Then in the gospels we readily see how important prayer was to Jesus. In Luke 6:12, we read these striking words, "Now it came to pass in those days that He (Jesus) went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God". Wow! Let's meditate on this powerful passage of scripture. Consider with me five observations about prayer:

1. The PERSON of Prayer - v. 12a - "He went ...to pray..." This is referring to Jesus. The Son of God was a man of prayer. If Jesus thought it necessary to pray, how much more should we make it a necessary part of our daily schedule? A.W. Tozer said, "No Christian ever rises above his prayer life." Are you a person of prayer?

2. The PLACE of Prayer - v. 12b - "He went out to the mountain to pray..." Several times in scripture we read of Jesus going to an "out of the way" place to pray (a mountain, garden, etc.). Most of us have a certain place where we like to read, watch t.v., eat, rest, etc. Do we have a place of prayer? Jesus taught the importance of praying in our "closet" (Matthew 6:5-6) and praying in our church ("My house shall be called a house of prayer", Matthew 21:13). Are you routinely praying in both of these places?

3. The PERSEVERANCE in Prayer - v. 12c - "and (Jesus) continued all night in prayer..." Now you might think, "Well, sure, this was Jesus. After all, He was God and He didn't need sleep like I do." No, remember Jesus was both fully God and fully man. He got thirsty, hungry, and tired, just like us. Praying all night was not easy for Him. Have you ever done that? I'm challenging you to join me and others in praying through the night at our church on Friday, October 7th, from 10 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. on Saturday. There's nothing like praying as Jesus did! Dr. Stephen Olford said, "Pray when you do feel like it - Pray when you don't feel like it - Pray until you do feel like it." In other words, keep on praying! Persevere in prayer!

4. The PROVIDENCE in Prayer - v. 12d - "...(Jesus) continued all night in prayer to God." Prayer accomplishes nothing unless it gets through to the one, True God. Many are like the pharisee who "prayed thus with himself" (Luke 18:11). His prayers got nowhere and were not answered. However, the tax collector humbly prayed, "God, be merciful to me a sinner..." and Jesus said he went home justified (Luke 18:13-14). His prayer was heard and answered because it was humble and heartfelt to God Himself. 1 Timothy 2:5 says, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus". And when we get through in Jesus' name, look out! Things will happen! C. H. Spurgeon said, "Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscle of divine omnipotence".

5. The PARTNERS in Prayer - v. 13 - "...He (Jesus) called his disciples to Himself..." Jesus got others involved with Him in preaching and praying. He was not a "lone ranger", and He does not want us to be either. We are far more effective when we partner in prayer with other believers. John Maxwell said, "...Jesus' plan to reach the world involved a team...if you want to reach your potential and strive for the seemingly impossible, you need to become a team player."

I challenge you to make prayer a priority. Pray in your closet. Pray in your church. Pray continuously. And pray with confidence in Almighty God. Sammy Tippit said, "The ministry of preaching is open to a few; the ministry of praying is open to all". Let's make prayer a priority in our life!

"Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, that calls me from a world of care;
And bids me at my Father's throne, make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief;
And oft escaped the tempter's snare, by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!"