Luke 5:16 - The Priority of Prayer

But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness to pray.
--Luke 5:16 NASB

Jesus knew the importance of prayer during His earthly ministry. He began His days with prayer (Mark 1:35). He used every spare moment to pray (Mark 6:46; Luke 5:16; Luke 22:39). Jesus would pray all night before making significant decisions, such as the choosing of His twelve disciples (Luke 6:12). Jesus prayed in times of great stress, such as prior to His betrayal by Judas (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 17). It was following long periods of prayer that Jesus demonstrated most greatly His authority over the elements (Mark 6:45-52) and over demons (Mark 9:14-29).

His disciples were so convinced of the power in Jesus' prayer that they asked Jesus to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1). And yet, His disciples found it difficult to place the same importance on prayer that Jesus did (Matthew 26:40, 43, 45; Mark 14:37, 40, 42; Luke 22:45).

Like the disciples, we also seem to find it difficult to place the proper importance on prayer. But if Jesus considered prayer to be the basis for everything He said and did, how much more so should we?

Father, I thank You for allowing me to come into Your presence. Forgive me for not taking full advantage of all that You can give me through prayer. Help me to rely on You first, last and always. In Jesus' name, amen.

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