35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Our Lord presents us with lots of action in this short sentence, leaving us with plenty examples to follow. Jesus clearly demonstrates the importance of the priority of prayer. He arises while it is still dark; He leaves the house sans Starbucks or bottled water or blanket or light; He goes off to a remote and private place and He prays fervently to the One unseen. He withdrew to His private devotion setting forth for us an example of secret prayer as well as showing us the high priority He placed upon prayer in His life. He was forever getting away to remote places to be alone in conversation with His Father. We would do well to do likewise. I am reminded of Jesus’ Word to us in the Sermon on the Mount regarding this high calling:
5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matt 6:5-6 (NIV)
Jesus shunned and condemned repetitive prayers that were piously presented to impress men’s ears. This appeared to be the habit of the religious elite of His day. Ever wanting to impress men they would stand in the synagogue and on the street corners eloquently espousing religious jargon without heart and primarily for show - the praise of men being their reward in full. Contrast their actions to our Lord who takes great pains to be alone with His Dad – uninterrupted and focused. Alone with his Father, freedom to express His heart fully, Jesus poured out His praise and petitions to the One He knew would hear and respond. Again, we would do well to do likewise. John writes:
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15 (NIV)
Paul also writes in Ephesians that believers may approach God in this incredibly high privilege of prayer with courage and boldness and freedom at any time. We are the great losers if we shirk this precious benefit choosing rather to go on in our own small strength - working out our own pitiful wills - in lieu of being directed by the God of all Creation – the great I AM – equipped with His all achieving power. He lets us choose. Seriously, what are we thinking?
12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Eph 3:12 (NIV)
The writer of Hebrews adding:
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Heb 4:15-16 (NIV)
Prayer is definitely serious business as well as difficult work. Distractions prevail when we seek to take prayer seriously. We oversleep; the baby cries; the phone rings; there are interruptions after interruptions keeping us from God’s best – the tyranny of the urgent. Satan and self will provide intense distractions to prevent a saint from being on their knees. Keep at it – it is not impossible. Interestingly, if you do a study of the saints from the past – your Chambers and Spurgeons and Moodys and Muellers and the like, you will discover the golden thread of the priority of prayer in each life as well as the exaltation of God’s Holy Word. God uses jars of clay greatly who pray and love His Word because when believers focus on God they change – not only themselves but the world around them.
“Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to Satan.” John Bunyan
"The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray." Samuel Chadwick
“The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer but unoffered prayer.” F. B. Meyer
16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5:16-18 (NIV)
9 It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up. 10 Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. Isaiah 50:9-10 (NIV)
“You know the value of prayer; it is precious beyond all price. Never, never neglect it.” Thomas Buxton