13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve--designating them apostles --that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
In the account of this same incident - in the thorough Gospel of Luke - we discover the reason our Lord went up on the mountainside – prayer alone all night with His Father. Oh that we would be as zealous prior to our great decisions – or in any other size decision for that matter:
12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. Luke 6:12-16 (NIV)
Prayer was Jesus’ holy habit – early in the morning, late at night and all through the night we discover the Master in Scripture praying to the Father unseen. His prayer life was not out to impress men rather He yearned for communion, direction and strength from His Father. I am reminded of our Lord’s Words in the Sermon on the Mount against prayer spoken for man’s fawning approval – spiritual pride being detestable in the Lord’s sight:
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)
Prayer was never meant to be a liturgical performance whereby one sets out to eloquently espouse religious jargon for the benefit of man’s ear only. Prayer is conversation and communion with the great I AM the Creator God of all. It is often the sweetest in this audience of One. When the supplicant can envision themselves resting “between His shoulders” is peaceful and needful indeed. When we forgo this immense privilege – this treasure - we end up wandering around in a “trackless waste” of our own choosing, going from weakness to weakness rather than from “strength to strength”. We are the losers when we rapidly pursue our own vain imaginations rather than listening for His still small voice for our direction, power and timing.
“Our attitude of surrender and dependence upon God is best evidenced by our prayer life.” Chip Ingram
“A prayerless soul is a Christless soul.” Charles Spurgeon
This is not the way God intended life to be fleshed out. From Adam on it was God’s desire and design for man to walk with Him in Holy Communion. When our first father failed, God cried out to him in the Garden: “Where are you” – as if He did not know. God always presses us to confess and repent of our wrong doings for our own good. The worst possible place for any and every person on earth to discover themselves to be is outside of God’s perfect and pleasing will for our lives. Unfortunately, many of us continue to discover ourselves there due to our prayerless rushing ways. We are to wait upon the Lord for His guidance.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov 3:5-6 (NIV)
This is why prayer is foremost for every Believer. Not just over monumental things – like the selection of the twelve – but over everything else as well. God delights in hearing the earnest supplication of His children.
"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
13 And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. 2 Thess 3:13 (NIV)
17 Pray continually. 1 Thess 5:17 (NIV)