From Ben – 11 October 2015
This week in our study through Luke’s gospel, we come to see Jesus withdrawing into the quiet seclusion of the Garden of Gethsemane to pray just before facing the deception of Judas, the denial of Peter and the desertion of the disciples.
What struck me as I read Luke’s account of the Gethsemane prayer, is that Luke records that Jesus went to pray “as usual”. In other words, this was Jesus’ normal practice.
As I pondered that point I had to ask myself, “Is prayer my normal and habitual practice? Do I regularly and consistently pray?” Only too often I find myself rushing ahead and getting on with making all kinds of decisions without praying to consult my Heavenly Father.
I suspect I am not alone in this and that many of you make the same mistake. As I challenge myself, I challenge you today, to be more ready to pray over even the small things of life.
If Jesus’ life was bathed in consistent, fervent, and regular prayer, we will all do well to copy his example. James, in his practical letter, near the end of the New Testament, says, “You have not, because you ask not.” How true is that?