Devotional prayer: learning from our Lord Himself
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35 NIV)
We continue the series on the devotional life following the launching of Deshen Daily as the new name for our devotionals. Let us turn over to the second half of the devotional life that is, prayer. If you have ever wondered what the devotional life is or whether there is any need for you as a child of God to pay attention to it, Mark 1:35 above speaks so loudly that no comments are needed!
Jesus got up very early in the morning, while it was still dark, and left the house. He went off to a solitary place alone and there, he prayed. This is not an accidental event that day because He had a significant healing service that morning. It was His habit. That was His devotional life with the Father. He did not call His disciples to accompany Him for a prayer service together. There is a place for community prayer. This prayer time was an alone moment: just Jesus and His Father.
Dare praying daily like this, and the first thing you will notice is that your problems will increase! Why? Satan will do everything he can to discourage you, give you excuses, put stumbling blocks on your path, crowd your schedule, etc. Intimacy with the Spirit is a spiritual disaster for the kingdom of darkness. Satan would rather have a lot of us being religious, going through the motions of Christianity but empty of any fire or practical light that threatens him or his kingdom.
Learn from the Master. Sit at your Father’s feet daily to fellowship with Him.
Read more: Jesus’ prayer life.
MEDITATE
Jesus practiced both personal prayer and communal prayer. Can you think of a time when He gathered a prayer meeting? (Matt. 26:37-40).
APPLY THE WORD
Maintaining a consistent prayer life is an area of the Christian life that is heavily contested and a fierce battleground. Fight the good fight of faith! Contend and press on with your devotional prayer life.
PRAY
Ask the Spirit for a fresh revelation and encouragement to pray.
Read more
Contend for your prayer life
The power of prayer.
Highly recommended: what is a devotional?
View all Deshen Daily devotionals including today’s devotional.
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