I don't know for you, but this chapter really hit me hard. The fact that Jesus, the King of the Universe did all things through prayer. From page 98,
"nothing could serve as a more sober rejoinder than the fact that Jesus - the all-powerful Son of God - humbly and incessantly prayed." Jesus always prayed to the Father, He was always praying for his earthly ministry and in Hebrews it says, to look to the author and perfector of our faith, the living example. Christ came to be our example, as the author says He was fully God and fully Man, but He relied on prayer, continually speaking with the Father, offering requests and prayers for His people to turn from there sin as well as all the miracles He performed. I found it interesting also in this chapter was how the disciple had seen Jesus perform amazing miracles, and yet one day that asked Jesus how to pray like He prays. They could have asked Jesus how He walked on water or this or that miracle but they were so blown away by the way that He prayed they asked Him to show them exactly that. Can you imagine what it was like to be around Jesus when He prayed? But also the disciples realized that
THROUGH PRAYER they would learn how to be like Jesus, perform things like Jesus and look to the Father, like Jesus.
On page 101&102 the author points out all the times Jesus goes and prays, all the times Jesus is found, with no one around Him, praying. How many times are you found through out the day, alone, praying to God? Spending time with Jesus and speaking with the Father? I know for me I was convicted by this chapter, realizing I am not spending time with the Lord enough. It says that He prayed through trials, temptations, and struggles....... are you doing that? You want to know why Jesus was so serious when it came to prayer? Is because He knew who He was, He knew the example He was setting and you need to look at Him and take it seriously. Don't get me wrong, God is hilarious, He invented laughter, but I think you and I can both agree that there are times to joke around, be funny and laugh and there are times to be serious and know that its time for business. The reason why Jesus was so serious is because prayer isn't to be taken lightly. The Father of the universe isn't to be taken lightly. Read through this chapter and let me know what you think, what is going on in your head when you read this? What jumps out at you? Take some time, I know you have it.
-Blessings guys&gals
