TODAY IN THE WORD

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Read: Ezra 9:1-15; Daniel 9:3-13
I urge, then . . . that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for . . . kings and all those in authority. - 1 Timothy 2:1–2
TODAY IN THE WORD
O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations on the earth. To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.–The Book of Common Prayer

It’s not always easy to know how to pray for “all those in authority.” Sometimes we can get so frustrated with political issues and leaders that we don’t feel like praying at all! The prayers of the priest Ezra and the prophet Daniel, both of whom insightfully prayed for their nation, are instructive.
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When we consider praying for our own country, many of us might not begin with confession of sin.

Yet humbly coming before the Lord, acknowledging the ways we have failed in our witness to our society, is a good place to start and keeps us from judging others in their sin.

As Ezra and Daniel did, we can use God’s character as the basis of our prayers. For example, we can pray that our elected officials uphold God’s justice and that they rule with integrity and honor.

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Read: Zechariah 7:1-14; Acts 13:1-3
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders . . . and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord. - Acts 14:23
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O Jesus! . . . Grant that I may become detached from all things and in all things seek you alone. Grant that I may direct my knowledge, my whole capacity, all my happiness, and all my exertions, to please you, to love you . . . Amen.–Thomas À Kempis

In his book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life,Donald Whitney calls fasting “the most feared and misunderstood of all the spiritual disciplines.” This is particularly true in our culture that avoids almost any form of self-denial. Yet Scripture contains many examples of fasting: David, Esther, Daniel, Jesus, and Paul all fasted on occasion. Today’s passage from Zechariah, however, stresses that fasting without the proper heart was displeasing to the Lord (v. 5; cf. Matt. 6:16–18).

Some people fast to increase clarity in prayer. Both Ezra (8:23) and the early church (Acts 13:2) fasted when they sought guidance. Sometimes people fast to express grief, as David did over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. Donald Whitney lists additional reasons for fasting: to seek deliverance or protection, to express repentance, to humble oneself before the Lord, to overcome temptation, and to dedicate oneself to the Lord.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As you look at Scriptural examples of fasting or read about the experience of believers who fast, it becomes clear that fasting has nothing to do with influencing God or “pressuring” Him to answer our prayers. Instead, fasting increases our awareness of the Lord and our ability to follow Him wholeheartedly.

Many people think of fasting only as abstaining from all food and drink for a specific time. Although we find this kind of fasting in the Bible, it usually accompanies extreme trials, such as the planned destruction of the Jews in Esther or Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness.

Actually there are many different approaches to fasting. Many people set aside twenty-four hours during which time they will not eat, but they may drink fruit juice. They commit to pray when they would normally be eating; some even donate the money they would have spent on food to a local charity. Others follow a partial fast, perhaps eating only vegetables. Still others fast by avoiding a particular food or activity, such as watching TV. This break from the normal routine serves as summons to come before the Lord in prayer.

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Read: Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. - Colossians 4:2
TODAY IN THE WORD

O my God, since thou art with me, and I must now, in obedience to thy commands, apply my mind to these outward [tasks], I beseech thee to grant me the grace to continue in thy presence; and to this end do thou prosper me with thy assistance, receive all my works, and possess all my affections.–Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

It’s easy to dismiss Colos-sians 4:2 as a nice ideal but an impossible reality. For many the idea of praying unceasingly may call to mind desert hermits or medieval monks--an image hopelessly out of sync with everyday pressures. Today’s prayer, however, was uttered by a very busy man who wanted to experience God’s presence, even in his work place.
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Brother Lawrence’s approach is simple. Having first filled his mind with thoughts of God in private prayer, he proceeded to his work in the monastery’s kitchen. “There . . . he spent all the intervals of this time, as well before and after his work, in prayer. . . . As he proceeded in his work he continued his familiar conversation with his Maker, imploring his grace, and offering to him all his actions.”

Although his first attempts were difficult, Brother Lawrence eventually developed a “habitual, silent, and secret conversation of the soul with God.” Many others, such as Oswald Chambers, Frank Laubach, C. S. Lewis, and Mother Teresa, have described similar approaches.

Why not conduct a “prayer experiment” over the next few days? Using external prompts, such as your favorite color or notes posted throughout the house, utter short, one-sentence prayers of thanksgiving to your Heavenly Father each time you see the prompt.

When you become aware of needs or feel anxious about something, try one-word prayers, such as “safety” or “health.” As you proceed, try to become more aware of Jesus’ presence. Keep note of what

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 3:14-21; Philippians 1:3-5; 9
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. -
TODAY IN THE WORD
We have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way.–Colossians 1:9–10

Paul’s prayers for the believers in churches that he planted are filled with blessing and thanksgiving. Today we’ll consider a few of these prayers.

In Ephesians 3, we see that Paul began by praying for power for the Ephesian believers--the power to remain rooted in their faith (vv. 16–17) and to comprehend more fully the love of Christ, in all its glorious dimensions (v. 18). Then Paul prayed that the deep knowledge of Christ’s love would lead to spiritual maturity (v. 19). Amazed by God’s power to transform lives, it’s no wonder Paul ended by praising God (vv. 20–21).

Love and knowledge are also the bases of Paul’s prayers for the Philippians. After thanking God for the Philippians’ participation in the gospel (vv. 3–5), Paul prayed that their love of God would grow in all know-ledge and insight, so that they might be able to live holy lives until Christ’s return (vv. 9–11).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
One of the remarkable things about Paul’s prayers is how he focused on the spiritual well-being and blessing of those for whom he prayed, not necessarily trying to “fix” specific problems in their lives. Paul knew that spiritual maturity was the key thing to pray for--everything else flows from this foundation.

You could use Paul’s prayers to write out a prayer for your children or grandchildren, or other children whom God has placed in your life. Written prayers are a great legacy to give to the next generation.

Look carefully at today’s Scripture readings--as well as Colossians 1:3–12--and rewrite these prayers for individuals in your life. Key items to include are gratitude for the person and a petition for deeper knowledge of God and His love and power. Consider ending your prayer with a benediction.

If children are your focus, you may want to incorporate elements from the following prayer by Jeremy Taylor, a seventeenth century bishop.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Galatians 5:19-26; Ephesians 4:17-5:2
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. - Ephesians 5:1–2
TODAY IN THE WORD
Strengthen me, O God, by the grace of your Holy Spirit; grant to me to be strengthened with might in the inner man, and to put away from my heart all useless anxiety and distress. . . . Amen.–Thomas À Kempis

As we’ve seen, prayer is communication with our loving Father--the means by which we know Him better and bring before Him our concerns and desires. But prayer is also a way that God changes us.

Ephesians 4 tells us to put off the old life apart from God and put on “the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (vv. 22–24). Prayer and God’s Word, through the work of the Holy Spirit, are the primary ways this transformation occurs.

One way that prayer changes us is by increasing humility. Whether we are praying for “daily bread” or interceding for others, prayer increases our awareness of being totally dependent on the Lord.
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Most of us earnestly desire to put on the new self, just as we desire to see more of the Spirit’s fruit in our lives. It’s surprising, then, how often we try to bring about spiritual growth on our own and forget to pray for it! Why not take time today to do just that?

You may want to begin by assessing hindrances to inner growth in your life. The aim of this exercise is not introspection, but rather the opportunity to prayerfully consider how each item in the following list either strengthens or weakens God’s new creation within you. Think of it as a “spiritual spring cleaning.” As you pray through this list, you may want to write down thoughts that the Lord brings to your mind.

* the books you read and the movies and TV shows that you watch

* the anecdotes and jokes that are shared where you work

* the focus of your imagination or thought life

* the friends you spend time with

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 10:25-37; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. - 1 Peter 4:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
All through this day, O Lord, by the powering of thy quickening Spirit, let me touch the lives of others for good, whether through the word I speak, the prayer I speak, or the life I live.–Anonymous

Yesterday we focused on inner change that comes with prayer; today we will look at outward fruit. As prayer shifts our focus upward to the Lord, there is often an accompanying shift outward through serving others.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan wonderfully portrays a life ready for service. Whereas the priest (v. 31) and the Levite (v. 32) focused on their own priorities, the Samaritan set aside his plans and helped the wounded robbery victim without reservation (vv. 33–35).

Our relationship with Christ enables us to serve with similar abandon--in fact, we’re already gifted to do so. Today’s verse reminds us that all believers have received spiritual gifts vital to the rest of the Body and God’s Kingdom work. Look through the list of spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, and notice how each is outward-focused for the benefit of others.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
A life of service is more an attitude than a particular ministry. In fact, we are called to serve right where we are--in our homes, neighborhoods, and jobs. Bob and Michael Benson counsel, “Ask God to help you this week to see the tasks of your life not as opportunities for advancement . . . [but] as places where you have been called to serve . . .”

Perhaps you have never identified your spiritual gifts. Your pastor or Bible study leader may be able to assist you or provide a study guide to help discover them. If you already know your spiritual gifts, ask the Lord how they can be more fully used at home, work, and church.

The famous prayer of St. Francis of Assisi helps cultivate a heart ready to serve:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace! Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 23
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. - Psalm 19:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
O Lord Jesus Christ, who are the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we pray you not to let us stray from you, who are the Way, nor to distrust you, who are the Truth, nor to rest in any other thing than you, who are the Life. Teach us by your Holy Spirit what to believe, what to do . . . Amen.–Erasmus

So far we have considered attitudes that help prayer, types of prayer, and the fruit of prayer. Today and tomorrow we will consider several models that help to integrate these ideas.

One such model that has been used for centuries is called lectio divina, which literally means “holy reading.” Although the name may sound complicated, you have probably been doing the four parts of this model already!

During the first part, lectio, you read through a selected Scripture passage several times. The second part, meditatio, enables you to focus more intently, or meditate, on the passage, allowing it to “speak” to you.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In many monastic orders individuals were appointed to read the Scripture continuously throughout the day--most of us will only have twenty to thirty minutes. Fortunately, that is enough time to sample this method of reading over, meditating on, and praying through Scripture.

You can begin lectio divinawith Psalm 23. First, read through the psalm for several minutes. Ask yourself: “What does this text say?” Next, spend at least five minutes meditating on this passage, asking yourself: “What does this text say to me?” For example, what does it feel like to walk alongside quiet waters? What is the “valley of the shadow of death” in your own life? How can the Lord’s rod and staff comfort you? Allow your mind to engage in some sanctified imagination as you put yourself into this psalm.

At the end of this time, spend another five minutes in prayer, asking yourself: “What can I say back to the Lord from this text?” You may want to write out your responses. When you have finished this, spend several minutes quietly in the Lord’s presence. Finally, consider any action this passage has prompted or any challenges you need to consider further.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 67; Jude 24-25
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
Father, I am beginning to know how much I miss when I fail to talk to thee in prayer, and through prayer to receive into my life the strength and the guidance which only thou canst give. . . . When I neglect to pray, mine is the loss. Forgive me, Lord. Amen.–Peter Marshall

For whatever reasons, we all find ourselves neglecting prayer at times, perhaps from the pressures of the day or thinking we have to pray in a certain way. Hopefully, this month’s study has sparked a deeper desire to pray by recognizing the great privilege we have to converse with our Heavenly Father, even if we’re angry, frustrated, or don’t feel like talking!

Although much of our emphasis this month has been on individual prayer, one of the best ways to grow in prayer is to pray with others. Consider finding another person who also has a desire to grow in prayer. You may meet with your “prayer partner” daily or weekly, in person or on the phone, for a walk or for a cup of coffee--the possibilities are endless! Consider also more ways to bring prayer into family time.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Another way to grow in prayer is to draw upon the many rich resources of written prayers. The Psalms, rightly called the “prayer book of the church,” can often express the prayer of your heart when your own words can’t. You may also consider denominational prayer books, such as the Book of Common Prayer.

Many classics, such as Imitation of Christby Thomas À Kempis or St. Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises,contain many prayer exercises. Some missionary organizations publish daily prayer guides that enable you to pray “around the world.”

You may also consider praying through hymns or using music in your prayer time, taking prayer walks, or changing your posture to standing or kneeling when you pray.

Finally, there are many outstanding books on prayer, some of which have been referenced in this study. Your local Christian bookstore can assist you in finding them.

Our walk with the Lord is an exciting adventure--prayer is part of that journey. Don’t get discouraged along the way! Keep in mind what an early monk said, “If you want to pray, you are already praying.” Or consider John Wesley’s words:

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 19:1-10
The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. - Luke 19:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
What’s in a name? For Moody student Sugar Lanauze, a miracle from God. Sugar was born with diabetes. Her missionary parents began to pray, asking the Lord to heal her, if that was His will. They visited doctors and hospitals, but these couldn’t help their baby. Medical advice and various drugs accomplished nothing.

But, says Sugar, “my parents remained in steadfast prayer. And one sweet day God healed me from diabetes! This is why my parents named me Sugar, so that I would never forget about God, Jesus Christ, who healed all of my illness! God is a God of power, and I am a perfect example of His power and faithfulness.”

Names are important. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He often referred to Himself as the “Son of Man.” This title was integrally connected with His mission of salvation, as we see in today’s reading (cf. Dan. 7:13-14).

Our topic this month is the humanity of Christ. As Charles Ryrie has said, Christ is “undiminished deity and perfect humanity united in one Person forever.” We’ll be focusing on the second half of that description, with the purpose of better knowing our Lord and Savior.

The theological truth of Christ’s humanity has powerful implications. Jesus is our brother, not some distant being. He is also an appropriate model for us to imitate–sometimes we get so caught up in the truth of His divinity that we forget this. As Jesus walks with us through the events of our lives, these implications should transform our faith.

That was certainly the effect that Jesus had on Zacchaeus. In the prosperous city of Jericho, Zacchaeus was a tax collector, a hated occupation under Roman rule. Nonetheless, Jesus honored him by going as a guest to his home.

As a result, Zacchaeus was spiritually transformed. His life immediately changed–he gave to the poor and made restitution for his wrongs.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The title “Son of Man” helps us understand who Christ is and why He came.

To find out more about other names of Christ, you might read or reread our December 2000 issue. If you have Internet access, you could visit the Moody Web site, www.moody.edu, click on

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Read: Matthew 1:18-25
The virgin . . . will give birth to a son, and they will call him “Immanuel”–which means, “God with us.” - Matthew 1:23
TODAY IN THE WORD
After 2,000 years, you might think there is nothing physically left from the time of Christ except archaeological artifacts. Think again!

According to English botanists, a large yew tree at Crowhurst, south of London, was already two millennia old at the birth of Christ, and celebrated its 4,000th “birthday” last year. The great tree is partly dead now, and hollow, but scientists say this is actually a survival strategy helping it endure through storms, insects, and winters. Thanks to this strategy, the exterior of the tree remains very much alive, hosting birds in its branches and sporting a leafy green coat every new spring.

Long ago, the light of the star that led the wise men to the Christ-child might have shone on this ancient tree–what an amazing thought! Even more amazing is the fact that God became man and was born as a baby. Every human being since Adam has begun life as a baby, and so did Jesus. His human family tree is important for both Jews (that’s why Matthew recorded it in the first part of his gospel) and Gentiles (and why Luke did the same in Luke 3).

The story is familiar. The baby was conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit, leading to a virgin birth and fulfilling a 700-year-old prophecy (cf. Isa. 7:14). Angels explained to both Mary and Joseph what was happening and the importance of the child. Jesus would “save His people from their sins” (v. 21). He was “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us,” an astounding phrase summarizing the Incarnation.

Joseph’s extreme obedience is worthy of notice. He took Mary as his wife, despite the social shame of her pregnancy. The one-year engagement period was to show the bride’s purity, so when she “failed the test,” marrying her was a huge step of faith. He delayed consummating their marriage until after Jesus was born, recognizing the sacredness of the conception. And he obeyed the angel when naming the new baby.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Jesus Christ, Son of God and Lord of the universe, came to earth as a baby.

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Read: Luke 2:40-52
Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. - Luke 2:52
TODAY IN THE WORD
As a boy in Croatia, Nikola Tesla showed an inventive mind. On one occasion, in an attempt to build an electric eggbeater for his mother, he made a primitive motor powered by fluttering June bugs. As a student, he discovered practical ways to improve electrical motors and generators.

Nikola immigrated to the United States in 1884 and gained a reputation as a talented engineer. While Thomas Edison and others were working on direct current (DC), Nikola believed that alternating current (AC) would be a better way of delivering electricity over long distances. He proved his ideas correct by building a power plant at Niagara Falls.

We continue to benefit today from his inventions and ideas, and it all goes back to his childhood. The seeds of the man were there in the boy. The same can be said of Jesus. He was twelve years old in today’s reading (just prior to adult status in the Jewish community), but already He knew His identity and purpose (v. 49).

We might wish to know more of Jesus’ boyhood, but the Gospels give us just this one episode. The family had traveled to Jerusalem for Passover, and were headed home (in a large group) before they noticed Jesus’ absence. They returned and found Him discussing God’s Word in the Temple. He was not being patronized by indulgent adults, but was truly amazing them with His grasp of the Scriptures.

Mary, who may have been Luke’s source for this story, no doubt later realized its significance. She and Joseph didn’t understand at the time, though this didn’t stop Jesus from being an obedient child (v. 51).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The seeds of what adults will become are often planted when they are children. For those of us who are parents, this is a tremendous responsibility of faith.

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Read: John 1:14-18
We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, full of grace and truth. - John 1:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
The Declaration of Independence was read publicly for the first time by Colonel John Nixon in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776. Following the reading, the Liberty Bell was rung to proclaim America’s independence from Great Britain. It didn’t crack that day, as is sometimes believed, but many years later, in 1835, while being rung during the funeral of U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall.

Quite large, this famous bell measures twelve feet around its bottom circumference, has a clapper more than three feet long, and weighs 2,080 pounds.

The Liberty Bell is a national legend, a symbol of freedom familiar to most of us. Its ringing proclaimed political freedom for the American colonies. In a similar way, God proclaimed spiritual freedom, not through a bell, but in the person of His Son.

The humanity of Jesus is an integral part of God’s revelation. That is to say, Christ’s humanity is not an incidental fact, but essential to our salvation. In order to give His life as the perfect sacrifice for sin, He had to live and die as a human being. As we’ve seen the past two days, “The Word became flesh.”

This Word is the same Word found at the beginning of John 1: the divine Logos who has existed eternally (vv. 1-3). Thus, we believe a profound mystery: God was born with a human body and made His home on earth. He became one of us!

Since to see Jesus was the same as seeing the Father (cf. John. 14:6-11), in Jesus, John and the other disciples saw the very glory of God (v. 14). His blessing is not limited to eyewitnesses, however, but has been given to all of us, a continual stream of grace-filled goodness (v. 16).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The Gospel of John has many statements by Jesus about the close relationship between His Father and Him. Why not do some extra Bible study on this today?

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Read: John 4:4-8
“Will you give me a drink?” - John 4:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
Take a look at your hands. Are you aware of their incredible abilities?

The human hand has 27 bones, with muscles strong enough to exert ninety pounds of pressure. One circus performer balanced the weight of his entire body on his index finger! The thumb is the most active finger, doing about 45 percent of the hand’s work. Yet all the fingers can have amazing speed and dexterity, for example, a master pianist can play about thirty notes per second.

Each fingertip has about 10,000 nerve endings, which enables blind people to read Braille dots only one fiftieth of an inch high. Scientists estimate that hands can make about 700,000 different gestures, more gestures than there are words in the English language.

Jesus, fully human, had two hands just like yours. Have you ever thought of His physical body in these terms? We read yesterday that “The Word became flesh,” a complex statement with a concrete point: Jesus had a physical body.

His body experienced all the same feelings as yours and mine. He got tired and slept (Luke 8:23). One of his last utterances on the Cross was to express thirst (John 19:28). After a long fast, he felt hungry, and Satan tempted Him with this appetite (Matt. 4:2-3).

We see the same in today’s reading, in the well-known story of the woman at the well. Jesus was tired, so He stopped to rest. After traveling, He was also hungry, so the disciples went to town for food. And since it was probably about noon, with the heat of the day at its most intense, it made sense that Jesus was thirsty as well.

As we know from the rest of the story, Jesus used His question, “Will you give me a drink?” as an evangelistic opening, because this woman needed to know Him as the all-satisfying Living Water. But the question was not a trick or a new method of witnessing–He truly was thirsty!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Hunger, thirst, and fatigue are basic human needs and feelings, so today’s suggested application is likewise simple and straightforward.

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Read: Luke 4:14-21
On the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. - Luke 4:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
God gave Moses instructions on how to build the Tabernacle, which became the portable center of Israel’s spiritual life and worship. Later, He gave Solomon the privilege of building the Temple, which served the same purpose but was destroyed by the Babylonians about 587 B.C. A rebuilt, post-exilic Temple was later replaced by a newer, grander structure sponsored by Herod, who hoped to impress the Jews.

Herod’s Temple was the center of national religious life in Jesus’ day, while synagogues dominated local religious life. These had originated during the Exile as a way of preserving Jewish religious and cultural identity. In a foreign land, the Israelites gathered together to read and discuss their Scriptures, and to remember their traditions. According to archaeologists, who have found and excavated many synagogues, they were often at the center or highest spot in town, and had a common layout.

It’s significant that Jesus had made it His custom to go to the synagogue (v. 16). Going there to hear and teach the Scriptures was part of His regular spiritual life. He didn’t live in isolation. It’s likely that Luke made this point deliberately, to put Christ’s example on display for believers in the early church.

Jesus was in Nazareth, just after His temptation in the wilderness, near the start of His public ministry. Synagogues had a flexible teaching structure, and Jesus seems to have had freedom to choose a passage from which to speak. Standing (the custom when reading the Word), He chose Isaiah 61:1-2a. Then He sat down (the custom when teaching), and declared that the prophecy was fulfilled in Him (v. 21).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
During His time on earth, Jesus went to local synagogues to worship God and read the Scriptures. These days, we go to local churches for the same reasons.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 6:12-16
Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. - Luke 6:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
An enslaved man known as “Praying Jacob” had decided, like Daniel, to pray three times daily at set times, no matter where he was or what he was doing.

His slaveowner, Mr. Saunders, was unhappy about this, and threatened Jacob with violence to prevent him. He would point his gun and tell Jacob that if he didn’t stop praying, he’d shoot him on the spot. Invariably, Jacob would finish praying anyway, then respond: “Shoot [and] welcome–your loss will be my gain–I have two masters, one on earth and one in heaven.”

Sometimes, Mr. Saunders would go out to the fields, whipping the slaves and storming around in an alcohol-driven fury. At his prayer time, Jacob would kneel down, and though this further enraged the slaveowner, he was unable to beat him. God protected him.

Under horrific circumstances, Jacob persisted in prayer. In this way, he imitated his heavenly master, Jesus Christ, who also put prayer at the center of His spiritual life.

We see in today’s reading an element of Jesus’ spiritual life reflected in our own. He went to synagogue, we go to church. He needed prayer to stay in close fellowship with His Father, and so do we.

Context is key here. The prayer recorded in today’s passage immediately preceded a major decision: the choosing of the Twelve Disciples. Jesus devoted significant time to this prayer, all night, in fact. He sought out the natural setting of a mountainside. Being out in creation can help us come before the Creator in the right frame of mind!

Following prayer, Jesus acted immediately. His heart was in tune with His Father’s, and He chose the Twelve confidently. Peter’s name is listed first and Judas’s last. The choice of Judas, the traitor, doesn’t mean that Jesus had an imperfect prayer life. The betrayal was already part of God’s larger plan.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
From today’s reading we see how important and valuable prayer was for Christ. And it should be the same for us too!