J A Alexander writes concerning the practice of Jesus in Mark 1:35 that it is ‘the most compelling proof of the necessity of prayer to our spiritual life.’
Did we, do we need such proof? Isn’t very reality of our spiritual life enough to encourage us to seek the face of the Lord in prayer, to know how much we need to spend time communing with our God?
Yet if we are honest with ourselves, regardless of our level of godliness and maturity of our Christian life, that we know we do not spend enough time communing with the Lord in prayer and the Word.
Is it because we think we only need God for the difficult bits of life? Then we have too high a view of ourselves and our abilities.
Is it because we are just so busy in life that it is hard to squeeze in time for God? Then we are busier than God wants us to be!
Spurgeon used to talk about the Prayer Meeting of the church as its powerhouse. We can say the same for the spiritual life of the individual Christian. Is the powerlessness in the face of temptation, in maintaining not only enthusiasm and passion but also steadfastness in serving God with our lives not ultimately traced back here: no or little prayer? And likewise the absence of peace and joy in the midst of life, as well as perception and wisdom in face of life’s challenges and opportunities?
If Jesus needed to pray, how much more so should we! If Jesus cherished times of communion, intimate fellowship with His heavenly Father, in which His thoughts, desires, perspectives and passions were harmonised to His Father’s, how much more so is this true of us!
Her is the essence of prayer: it is not bring our will to God but asking that His will be done on earth. It is not directing but embracing God and His love and will.
Let’s pray! No, I mean it – let’s really begin to pray.