Push on in Prayer

Push on in Prayer 

He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed. Mark 14:35 

Some Christians are satisfied with only a surface relationship with Christ. Others desire to share the holiest moments with Him. On the night Jesus spent in sacred prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, the people responded to Him in various ways. There were those who were so indifferent to Jesus that they were unaware He was even in the garden. Then there was Judas, who knew where Jesus was but was too busy with his own schemes to join Him. The rest of the disciples joined Jesus in the garden, but they were distracted by sleep. Jesus told them the urgency of the hour, but they did not comprehend it. There was the inner circle of disciples, Peter, James, and John. They initially prayed with Jesus, yet even they could not grasp the significance of the moment. Ultimately, Jesus prayed alone. He went farther than His disciples and prayed longer. At the greatest moment of intercession in human history, there was no one willing to go with Jesus and watch with Him. Throughout history God has looked for those willing to yield everything to Him and His desire to redeem a world. At times God has marveled that no one was willing to go with Him (Isa. 63:5; 59:16). The prophets seemed to grasp more than the common people, for while society carried on as though nothing were wrong, the prophets agonized and wept over what they knew God was preparing to do. God is calling you to go deeper in your prayer life with Him. If you are willing to be the person Jesus can take with Him into the most sacred moments, you will experience things only the angels shared with Jesus in the garden that night. - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day 

It's often when the storm surges that it gets the most attention in a person's life.

I can certainly agree with this.  The most poignant moments of my walk with God have happened because the storm raged.

Right now this world is caught up in a global crisis.  This storm is going to be here a while.  The interesting thing is the lengths God had gone to attempt to gain the attention of the world.  

There are no coincidences in regards to the work of Jesus.  There is never something just happening at the same time as His intended work.  Jesus has one mission for all believers, to reach the lost. It's not to pursue a life of luxury or grandeur. It is to obey Him. 

Prayer was the greatest tool in the belt of an Apostle.  It's what began the Church.  It's what encompassed the life of Christ. His times He often left everyone and everything to talk to the Father. 

Prayer.  So now we all have extra time these days.  Stripped of aspects of our lives that cluttered up our minds.  In essence freeing us to seek God on a level we hadn't considered before. 

Prayer is where you start.  Jesus would go off and talk to His Father, come back and set about doing what the Father wanted.  

Prayer was crucial at the Garden of Gethsemane.  The Disciples weren't entirely getting it yet.  The evil in this world was poised to strike.  Prayer was the weapon of choice.  

So things are radically different these days.  It's happened before and people have learned to adapt before.  What's different this time is this generation has never seen a very indiscriminate enemy of the flesh on this scale, with this magnitude. 

But regardless, it's not stronger than a prayer.  Scripture says the effective prayer of a righteous man avails much.  Why is that?  Righteousness of a believer is from God.  So if a man or woman is in tune with God in their daily lives, in their relationship with Jesus, their prayers go places.  They accomplish things.  Because His will is being done. 

This time in our lives is best suited in learning how to deepen our relationship with Jesus.  Learn more about Him.  Learn to open up to Him.  Let go of the aspects of our lives that He doesn't approve of.  Take the weeds out of the garden of our hearts.  

This day that's before you.  Think about where you are with Christ.  Don't dwell on losses of this physical world.  Look at what it is God wants you to be looking at. 

Jesus had told Peter, James and John of what was coming.  He lead them to the Garden of Gethsemane. To pray.  

You're facing a very upside down world. 

Jesus has lead you to this place and point in time to pray. 

Stop trying to find all kinds of things and ways to occupy your life with anything else. 

Sit at the feet of Jesus and both listen and talk with Him.  That's how you will get through this.  It is no coincidence that online Church attendance skyrocketed due to people being told they should stay home.  People are seeking something we have in Christ.  What is it? Why do they have hope? How do I get it?  

Pray my dear reader pray.  God's phone lines can't be overwhelmed.  He's always available.  Tell Him what is on your heart and mind.  He's waiting for you.