We saw last time when Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law. Of course, good news travels fast! This is what happens next:
Luke 4:40-43
40 While the sun was
setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them
to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them.
41 Demons also were
coming out of many, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But rebuking
them, He would not allow them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ.
42 When day came,
Jesus left and went to a secluded place; …
After a full day of healing and casting out demons, Jesus is TIRED! So He goes off by Himself to pray. This is something He did frequently.
Luke 5:16
16 But Jesus Himself
would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.
Of course, Jesus the Son of God does not need to pray, but Jesus the man does. Jesus enlisted the guidance of His Father in knowing where the Father wanted Him to go, and what the Father wanted Him to do. That’s what prayer is – it’s an attitude of dependence on God the Father.
Look at another time:
Matthew 14:13
13 Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; …
Many times things don’t work out the way we anticipate. When that happens, it’s time to seek further direction from our Father in prayer. A growing believer should habitually ask the Lord for wisdom and direction.
Prayer should precede everything God would have us do, because it enlists God’s help! If Jesus habitually prayed for direction and guidance, then how much more should we!?
James 1:5
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Back in the story,
Luke 4:42-43
42 When day came,
Jesus left and went to a secluded place; and the crowds were searching for
Him, and came to Him and tried to keep Him from going away from them.
43 But He said to
them, "I must preach the
Notice this principle – Jesus didn’t just turn to His Father for guidance when things were going bad! At this moment, He has large crowds of people searching for Him with great desire, trying to get Him to stay! But still, He seeks the guidance of His Father.
We have a real tendency to approach God only when we can’t do something ourselves, or when things are not going the way we want them to. But even in the midst of blessings and success, we can miss out on what God wants us to do! To accomplish God’s plan for your life, you should seek His guidance even when things are going great!
Prayer must precede ALL that we undertake in life, to insure that we are doing what God wants us to do.