October 2019
As a follower of Jesus, let us also pray like Him. Prayer was one of the first spiritual disciplines Jesus taught to His disciples.
The Spirit of the Lord has been stirring my heart and urging me to call Santa Clara First Baptist Church to a deeper prayer life. Let us learn from Jesus how to pray and enter into a deeper relationship with God, Our Father.
Jesus Prayed At His Baptism
Before Jesus began His public ministry, He chose to be baptized. It is also essential for us to pray before we begin our ministry. It is especially important for us to pray before we begin our new ministry year.
"When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, 'You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.'” (Luke 3:21-22)
Jesus Prayed Before He Chose The Twelve Disciples
Jesus withdrew to a mountain to pray all night before choosing His disciples. Praying for leaders, volunteers, and workers in the church is vital for the health of the church.
"Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles." (Luke 6:12-13)
Jesus Prayed Early In The Morning
Jesus prayed early in the morning before heading into Galilee, a difficult place for ministry. We need to pray before we began ministering in a hard and difficult place.
"Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed." (Mark 1:35)
Jesus Taught His Disciples How To Pray
Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. His prayer life touched them, and they wanted to pray like Him. We must model a prayer life like Jesus, and teach new believers how to pray.
"Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.'" (Luke 11:1)
Jesus Prayed Before He Displayed His Power And Miracles
Jesus prayed alone before He walked on the water, and displayed His power over nature to His disciples. We need to pray before we walk into a storm.
"And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there." (Matthew 14:23)
Jesus Prayed After Performing Miracles
Jesus withdrew often to the wilderness to pray as His ministry grew bigger. When our ministry grows bigger, we need to pray all the more.
"So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed." (Luke 5:16)
Jesus Prayed Before He Fed The Multitude
Jesus prayed and gave thanks to God for the blessings He was about to receive to bless others. Pray and bless over the resources that God has given to you, so that your resources can be multiplied to bless others.
"And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all." (Mark 6:41)
Jesus Prayed When He Was Tempted With Worldly Glory And Honor
Jesus withdrew to spend time with the Father when the people wanted to make Him King of Israel. When we are tempted with worldly honor and glory that will derail God's plan, we need to go to God in prayer.
"Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone." (John 6:15)
Jesus Prayed Before He Was Crucified
Jesus prayed for God's will to be done. He prayed with exceeding sorrow that if it were possible, He would not have to die on the cross. But He yielded to God's will. We need to pray when we are exceedingly sorrowful, especially when we are faced with extreme challenges to accomplishing God's plan for our lives. "He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, 'Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.'” (Mark 14:35-36)
Jesus Prayed For The Little Children
Jesus laid His hands on and blessed the little children. He rebuked the disciples for being annoyed with the little children and their mothers. All little children need our prayers and blessings, not our wrath and anger.
"But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.' And He laid His hands on them and departed from there." (Matthew 19:14-15)
Jesus Prayed For Himself, His Disciples, And All The Believers
Jesus prayed to God to glorify Him, to sanctify the disciples, and that all believers be one with Him and The Father. Pray unceasingly that God will be glorified through your life. Pray for the sanctification of all the believers around the world, and that we will remain faithful until the coming of the Lord. (John 17)
The Spirit of the Lord is calling us to pray. God is about to do something New and He is calling us to a deeper prayer life. You will hear a call for communal prayer this month, and the call will also be a catalyst to a deeper personal prayer life.