Planned, Private and Prolonged Prayer Strategy
Have you ever wanted Order? I know I desire order but many times I find myself in chaos as I tackle too many activities at once. God's Word is my refreshing spring, my living water and it is God breathed to give me life and life abundant every day. I get down right crabby when I don't have time with Jesus. Many times I have seen prayer as the battle ground in which gives me His orders for the day. I do offer up prayer throughout the day and sometimes there is no order to it other than what is on my heart to pour out to God. It is just me talking to God. There are times God places specific people and things on my heart to pray for and this is God directing prayers to be prayed. I have kept prayer lists with certain people, things, places, authorities to pray for each day of the week. As I read Proverbs 31:15, Psalm 5:3 and Mark 1:25 today, I really focused on asking God what prayer strategy he wanted in my life daily.
We think about a strategy or cleaning schedule but do we think about a strategy or schedule for prayer? Jesus had a strategy. It was planned. He rose a long while before daylight. This is an important fact because the night before, the whole town was at Jesus' door. It was late as Mark 1:32 says it was after the sun set. Jesus had healed many who were sick and demon possessed. He may have only had a few hours of sleep that night but he still got up early to pray because it was already planned. Jesus also had a private/solitary place where he prayed. He didn't just stay where everyone was because he probably knew he would be disrupted. Then the purpose he went out and departed early to be alone was to pray.
Simon and others were looking for Jesus. Simon told Jesus that everyone was looking for him. This verse tells me that Jesus' time of prayer was prolonged.
Jesus could have stay to help everyone that was looking for him but he had direction from the Father after he prayed. Jesus knew he was to go to the next towns to preach. Jesus had order to his day: (1) He had a planned time to spend with the Father in prayer (early in the morning while dark); (2) He had a private place and (3) he needed a long time/prolonged time in prayer. After prayer, Jesus knew how his day was to be ordered. He was to go to new towns and not stay where he was despite everyone in the town looking for him and needing him.
Scriptures:
Proverbs 31:15 - She also rises while it is yet night and provides for her household, and a portion for her maidservants.
Psalm 5:3 - My voice you shall hear in the morning, O Lord. In the morning I will direct it to you and I will look up.
Mark 1:35 - Now in the morning having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place and there HE PRAYED.
Observations:
1. The word direct in Psalm 5:3 is arak. Arak is most frequently used in Moses writings regarding the priests setting in order the sacrifices. It can also mean an army "set in array" in preparation for battle.
2. In Mark 1:35 - Jesus woke up extremely early(He went out), he went to be alone (he departed) with the Father and He prayed.
3. Proverbs 31:15, I observed that in order to give to family and household it is important to have that quiet time in the morning to cry out to the Lord.
Application:
1. What ordered strategy do you learn from Jesus?
2. How does this ordered strategy help you to love God more and others more each day?
Seeking God's Kingdom first means acknowledging God's presence. It is putting him First and allowing this first love to change you moment by moment as you submit. God is renewing my mind and heart daily as I sit at His feet. I learn from Jesus that I need to be committed to a planned time, a place that is private and more than just a few minutes with the Lord in prayer. I need prolonged time with the Lord. I may think I know what my family needs but I may be wrong. I need new direction each day from the Lord to know where He wants me to be and what He wants me to do. Lord set in array the duties for my day. Prayer sustains us and give us spiritual effectiveness. I do not want my agenda dictated by the demands of the day or people but by what the Lord wants me to do.
As a Mother, there are many demands. We need Jesus to instruct us and direct our days.
Prayer:
Abba Father, I write many schedules and plans but you are the one that orders my day. Without prayer, my day is just a list of duties and things I accomplished. Lord, please forgive me for the sin of going my own way by trying to meet needs without knowing where you are directing me. Sometimes, I get so busy meeting needs of family and others. I want to go where you tell me to go and do what you tell me to do. Thank you for ordering and directing my days. May I love you with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and to love others as myself. May the planned, private and prolonged time I have with you. I love how Jesus says regarding to go to the next towns and preach there also "FOR THIS PURPOSE I HAVE COME FORTH." Each day, you have a purpose for me and I thank you that in you these purposes are known. Thank you for giving us strength and power to say no to the things that are not your perfect will and to say yes to your will.
