Day 24 – Lenten Devotional

LENTEN DEVOTIONAL – DAY 24 – TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019

Jesus Prayed How? When? Where?

Luke 5:16 “But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.”

The gospels contain over 80 instances of Jesus teaching or demonstrating prayer.  He prayed:

How?
Jesus prayed while walking, with His eyes open, at times likely closed, standing, sitting, kneeling, laying with His face to the ground, (interesting that there is no specific mention of Jesus folding His hands together and closing His eyes);

When?
Jesus prayed in the early morning, afternoon and night; before eating, before many of His miracles, before important decisions;

Where?
Jesus prayed in public, in small groups, alone; in cities, the countryside, on mountains, near tombs, fields, synagogues, the temple, houses, and by or on water… even on the cross!

He taught about how to pray to God, how NOT to pray to God, what to pray for, who to pray for, where to pray, and what the condition of your heart, mind and spirit should be…humble reverence!

REFLECT:  Is your prayer life filled with humble reverence?  Do you worry about how, when where to pray? Have you found that when you are most disobedient to the Lord, these are times when you have no connection with Him?

REPENT:  Change your ways. Pray to God with humble (knowing fully who you are) reverence (knowing who He is…Almighty God)!  Keep your eyes heavenward and “Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10).

RESTORE:  Pray as often as you can. Holy conversation with the Lord is not confined to particular places, times, or physical positions. God desires your life to be in continual contact with Him. Pray!

Acts 1:14 “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”

Blessings,
Pastor Tom Bellhy