Jesus Came To__________. (Fill in the blank!) As Christians, we sometimes get into the mindset that He came for us––to bail us out, to give us things, to take care of our every need. While there are angles of this that I believe are true, it is actually much deeper than that.
If you look at His life you see four verbs that He mastered as an example for us. Jesus came to Pray, Fast, Give, and Serve! He taught these things and then He “practiced what He preached.” These are resounding messages that have lasted thousands of years. I don’t know about you, but I am thankful that Jesus had the foresight to live and teach these principles so that when I get weary, I have His example to look up to!
Jesus came to Pray! Have you ever noticed that Jesus prayed a lot! He REPEATEDLY withdrew to pray (Luke 11 and 18). He prayed for DIRECTION (Luke 6). He prayed in the DARKEST HOUR of His life (Matt. 26). He PRAYED FOR US! (John 17). The gospels are filled with great documentation and confirmation as to Jesus’ prayer life. Prayer was not just a “Christian thing to do” on a check list. Prayer was His power source and encouragement. Prayer was His time of intimacy with His Father!
In rereading Leonard Ravenhill’s book, “Why Revival Tarries?”, chapter 2 has really caused me to think through my prayer life and caused me to “up the ante.” Ravenhill says, “Poverty-stricken as the Church is today in many things, she is most stricken here, in the place of prayer. We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and payers, few pray-ers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferers, few intercessors; many writers, but few fighters. Failing here, we fail everywhere.”
Jesus, will you keep us from failing? Jesus, will you teach us to live? Jesus, will you teach us to pray?