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The Gospel Observer
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them
to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19,20).
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July 20, 2014
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Contents:
1) Praying Like Jesus Prayed (Donnie V. Rader)
2) News & Notes
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-1-
Praying Like Jesus Prayed
by Donnie V. Rader
When I think of the prayers that our Lord offered, two passages come
to mind: Mark 1:35 and Luke 6:12. The reason being -- these
two verses are full of practical principles about prayer.
"Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He
went out and departed to a solitary place; and there he prayed"
(Mark 1:35).
"Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain
to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God" (Luke 6:12).
The prayers of Jesus set wonderful examples for us to imitate. They
give us the opportunity to examine our own praying to see how it
measures up.
One's spiritual life and maturity is measured by his or her praying.
Prayer is the "dipstick" to measure the level of our spirituality.
When you pull the dipstick out of the engine of your car or truck to
check the oil, you will see one of two things. The oil level will
either be on the full mark or it will be below it. Seldom will you
find that you have too much oil. The same is true as we examine our
praying. We may find that we are as spiritual and prayerful as we
ought to be. It is also very possible that we will find that we are
lacking in prayer due to a lack of spirituality. I doubt that anyone
will find that they are overflowing to the point that they need to
"drain" a little.
Let's look at our own praying in view of the prayers of Jesus.
Jesus Prayed In A Solitary Place
Mark tells us that Jesus went to a "solitary place" to pray. Luke
tells us he went to the mountain to pray. Both texts suggest a quiet
place that was free from distractions where he could concentrate on
the words spoken to his Father. Jesus well understood that prayer
must be from the heart and not just a recital of words or phrases.
While in a context of showing a contrast between an outward display
of prayer and prayer offered in sincerity, Matt. 6:6 may also give
us some insight to praying in a place that is conducive for praying.
Jesus said, "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you
have shut the door, pray to your Father... "
Prayer was important enough for Jesus to go to a place to pray. It
wasn't that he just happened to be in a solitary place or in the
mountains when he decided to pray. He went there for the
purpose of praying.
We probably wouldn't do what a few denominationalist would do by
going to a chapel or "house of worship" for prayer. We well
understand that prayer can be offered anywhere, anytime. However,
maybe our friends have learned something that we could use, that
being the value of a place that allows us to pray without
distraction.
In a busy, noisy and crowded place it is easy to let our minds
wander or rush through a prayer. With the TV blaring, the telephone
ringing, the doorbell chiming and the children playing, it is
difficult to think about praying.
Where do you pray? Is it the kind of place where Jesus would attempt
to talk to his Father? Is it one that is helpful to your praying?
Find a place that is solitary and conducive for prayer. For one, it
may be in the bedroom at night or in the early morning hours. For
another, it may be in the bathroom or in the shower. For some, it
may be in the quietness of the office. And yet, another may find the
living room to be the best. Others may go to a field, the barn, the
woods or the basement. Wherever it is, prayer is worth finding a
place to pray.
Jesus Made Time To Pray
There is a difference in praying as one has the time or as he can
find the time and in making time to pray. There is also a difference
in praying because one has the time on his hands and in making time
to pray.
Jesus got up early, rising before daylight, just so he could pray.
He did this in the midst of a very busy schedule.
Sometimes we are so busy in the mornings getting showers, eating
breakfast, getting the kids off to school and going to work that
little or no time is left to pray. Our days and evenings are packed
full of work and family activities. When night comes we are so tired
that we fall asleep while trying to pray. Thus, another day passes
without praying as we should. I said sometimes this is true.
Hopefully, this scenario does not describe all or most of God's
people.
Prayer is important enough to lose sleep or get up early in order to
make the time for it. Make time in your schedule for prayer when you
are most alert and your mind is clear and spend some time talking to
your God.
Jesus Had A Lot About Which To Pray
I have often wondered about the statement, "and continued all night
in prayer to God." I wonder if this means that Jesus offered one
continual prayer or were there several prayers broken by moments of
rest and meditation? I wonder if through the night he ever repeated
a thought, thanksgiving or request or did the night consist of
prayer for different things? Any of these possibilities would seem
to harmonize with the text.
However you may interpret this text, Jesus did a lot of praying.
This does not suggest that our prayers must be long. It does,
however, suggest that we too have a lot about which we can and
should pray. The list is endless. We have much for which to be
thankful: a wealth of spiritual blessings, an abundance of material
blessings, friends, brethren and family. If we were to specify just
some of these blessings, we would be praying a lot.
There are many expressions of praise and adoration that can be given
to our Father. When we begin to praise him for his creation, his
wisdom, his power and might, we again will have a lot to say in our
prayers. A look at the Psalms will be helpful in this area.
Then as we begin to make requests for help, strength, protection,
wisdom, the weather and forgiveness, we again will have a lot to
express before God.
A lot of time could be spent in making intercessions for the rulers
of our nation, alien sinners, erring children of God, those weak in
the faith, the sick, elders, preachers and others for whom we have
love and concern.
If the sinless Son of God needed to spend a lot of time praying,
there must be a need for me to spend some time doing the same.
Jesus Prayed Before An Important Decision
I don't know all that Jesus said in his prayer in Luke 6, but,
choosing his disciples must have been on his mind for the context
shows that when he had finished his praying, he immediately selected
his twelve.
When we face great decisions in life, it is a time to ask for wisdom
that will aid us in making such decisions (Jas. 1:5).
Before making major decisions like getting married, having children,
a job, college, selecting elders or a preacher, or taking on some
considerable responsibility, we ought to approach the throne of God
and ask for his help.
Conclusion
Jesus left us an example of prayer to follow (1 Pet. 2:21). We
should try our best to imitate what we see in him. Our first efforts
may seem a little feeble, much like a first grader trying to make
his ABC's just like the example on the board. Yet, with practice,
our own efforts take on a form that looks more and more like the
Master's.
-- Searching the Scriptures (November 1991, Volume XXXII, Number 11)
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News & Notes
On July 22, Danielle Howard had a second hip replacement,
which also involved removing the steel rod that had been placed in
that leg only several weeks prior. It was the third time she
had surgery on that leg in less than two months. It went well,
but has been most painful for her. She is expecting to return to the
rehab center in Jesup this Friday, but will be heading back down to
Jacksonville for parathyroid surgery on August 5. The need for
that is due to wrong signals that her body is receiving for more
calcium, which has resulted in some unnecessary calcium buildups
that have also caused a depletion of calcium in her bones, thus
making them soft, weak, and brittle. Let those of us who are
Christians not only pray that she will heal well from her previous
surgery, but also do well in this next one; and that it will lead to
the strengthening of her bones.
Let us also be including the following people in our prayers:
Due to his shortness of breath and heart blockages, Jim Lively
recently underwent a sleep study for sleep apnea and is also
scheduled for a breathing study August 11. Then, in the next
several weeks, he will also be having bypass surgery for his heart.
Norma Burton had been admitted to the Mayo Clinic July 15 due
to a painful infection and swelling in her right leg and spent a few
days there, but is now back at Baptist Village where she receives
physical therapy five days a week.
Virginia Fontenot's new treatment for her cancer went a
little easier for her -- compared to the previous ones she has been
through. Her daughter, Linda Blevins, also informed me that we
should know in about 3 weeks of how well or not that treatment will
shrink or eliminate the tumors, which had been increasing in number
and in size.
Also on the prayer list: Ronnie Davis, Rex and Frankie Hadley,
Jewel Wilson, Mary Vandevander, Deborah Medlock, Shirley Davis,
Sue Wooten, A.J. and Pat Joyner, and Colleen Henson.
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom.
10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the deity of Christ (John 8:24; John
3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts
8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins
(Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet.
3:21)
6) Continue in the faith; for, if not, salvation can
be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501
Sunday services: 9:00 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 5 PM (worship)
Wednesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 614-8593
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/go
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