February Prayer Opportunity

01.04.10


Luke 5:16 (New International Version)

16But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.



What can we gather from this verse and what’s that got to do with your life in 2010?



1. It’s Jesus we’re talking – Son of God, come to earth to model real life to us and rescue us.



2. Often – this is a habit. Something that is natural in the rhythm of His life.



3. Withdrew – Paintings of Jesus walking ever so calmly among his followers only further our thinking that He can’t relate to our busy lives. But this isn’t accurate. Other places we see the crowds, not gingerly listening but violently pressing in on Him. At least one occasion, along the waters edge, they crowd him off land and into the water. At other points we see him unable to stop and eat or even enter towns because of the crowds. So, He intentionally separates from the hectic life to sit with His Father.



4. Lonely Places – It’s hard to listen closely and have conversation in a crowd. So, He purposely isolated Himself in order to have uninterrupted conversation with the Father.



5. And Prayed – It is hyper critical that we not miss the point of it all. It wasn’t for rest that He got away (though there were times that He did this), it wasn’t to get important work done (though we see Him slip away for this as well) – It was because He was so aware of His need for our Father and so in love with our Father that it drove Him to get alone (very much like I find time for date nights with my wife).



In 2010 what role will Prayer play in your life? CSUS is excited about seeking to facilitate more prayer in and for this ministry. In fact, we are calling everyone to commit to daily prayer during the month of February. Please consider taking the challenge.




See why Jesus was born!