Luke 5:15-16 "Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."
Once people learned about Jesus and the power that he possessed to heal the sick they began to follow him. Huge crowds gathered around him, seeking to hear a word from him and to be healed by him. Even with the massive amount of people who demanded the time and attention of Jesus, he knew that the Father had to be a number one priority. Jesus would often slip away to a quiet place, away from the noise of the world, the cries of the sick, and the plea's of the needy in order to take time in prayer to the Father. Jesus had to put everything else on hold in order to find a quiet place to talk personally and intimately with God because he knew that it was an essential part of his life.
It is obvious that we lead busy lives. It is difficult for us to find time to scamper away to a quiet place in order to have a one on one time with God. Many times it is not easy to find a nice quiet place, nor is it easy to cram one more thing into our already packed schedule. Out of all the things in life that get put on the backburner, more often than not it is our own relationship with the father. Sadly, we have the tendency to do this so much that it becomes routine to not have time to spend in prayer with God each day.
I admit it isn't easy. Jesus himself had to work at finding a quiet place to go, even if it meant getting up early, or getting on a boat to get away from the crowds that constantly followed him. If it was important for Jesus to have this time alone with God then shouldn't it be even more important for us? It is in fact essential to living a successful Christian life!
I would encourage you to find time during your day to spend alone with God. Retreat to a quiet place, whether it is your room, outside, your car, wherever you can get away to be alone with God spend time talking and sharing with him. Let God know how you feel and what you think. Share with him what you want and the things that you like to do. Pray for your friends and family. Take time to listen to what he has to say to you. It is important that we find time each day to be with the creator of the universe... this is one habit worth forming!
The YM
P.S. If you can slip away in the mornings there is a prayer meeting every morning, Monday through Thursday at 7:00 in the church auditorium. This is a great time to come and pray with other believers. I lead the meeting on Wendesday mornings. You are welcome to join us!
Posted by The YM at January 13, 2004 10:28 PM