Time For Prayer.

[This week's blogs are reflections based on Pastor Sam's sermon series on the Lord's Prayer.]

I am part of an online small group that is currently reflecting on the prayer of Jesus recorded in John 17. That prayer, which is sometimes referred to as the High Priestly Prayer, is famous for its selflessness (that's self-LESS-ness, not selfishness), its transparency, its depth of intimacy. Jesus is hours away from death on a cross, and He is not praying for Himself- he is in the depths of prayer for His disciples.

How does one develop such a prayer life?

It takes time. It takes effort. It takes consistency. Today, let's consider the aspect of time.

“And when He had sent them away, He departed into a mountain to pray... and about the fourth watch of the night He came to them” (Mark 6:46)

In Mark 6, we see the depth of time and energy Jesus exerts in His ministry. There is preaching in His hometown, there is the commissioning of His disciples for the ministry of healing and deliverance, there is the compassionate teaching ministry to the thousands who followed Jesus. There is the miracle meal, thousands fed from five loaves and two fishes.

Then Jesus does something interesting as evening approaches. First, he sends away His disciples. Then, He sends away the multitude. At last Jesus has some time to Himself... and He spends that time in prayer with His Father, not re-joining the disciples until during the fourth watch of the night (see Matthew 14:25 and Mark 6:48).

Scholars believe the fourth watch of the night was between 3 in the morning and sunrise. And the first watch of the night began at sunset. How much time would Jesus spend in a prayer session? Apparently, hours.

“And in the morning, rising a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” (Mark 1:35)

“And it came to pass in those days, that He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” (Luke 6:12)

“And in the day time He was teaching in the temple: and at night He went out, and abode in the mount that is called the Mount of Olives.” (Luke 21:37)

In light of the hours Jesus spent in prayer to the Father, the question Jesus asks in Gethsemane is no surprise: “Could you not watch with Me one hour?”

Will you watch with Him one hour?

Lord, Sovreign and Holy, forgive us for spending so little time with You! Give us a deep desire and move us, by Your Spirit, to release our schedules to You. You, Lord before time, re-order our time so that we might develop true intimacy with You.