Luke 5:12-26: Some thoughts on prayer.

I am a pupil in Christ’s school of prayer. I feel that I know so little and I continue to be a learner, but Here are some things I have picked up through the years. They are important principles and they are all found in today’s two stories which, it could be argued, teach about prayer. Let me mention some of the lessons and see if you can locate them in the passage:

Prayer must be fervent. It should not lack intensity ( see James 5:17);

Prayer has to be humble – it is not a conversation between equals;

Prayer should be submissive. It says, ‘Your will be done’;

Let prayer be collaborative. It is a beautiful thing when brothers dwell together in unity, and agree in prayer. Sometimes you may have to put yourself out in prayer in order to team up with others to pray for someone in need. It is a practical way we can show sacrificial love. Attending a regular prayer gathering is a way to love others and serve them. We carry our sick and needy together to the Lord Jesus, who alone can speak the gracious word of forgiveness and healing.

Prayer has got to be full of faith;

Prayer will need to be determined. There will often be obstacles to overcome and our requests will regularly have to be muscular. There will be a requirement for staying power. Yes, we bow to God’s will in any and every matter, but unless we know that He has said ‘No’, let’s endure in prayer, persevere in asking. Be determined to find a way through. Pray through to breakthrough!

But perhaps the most important observation to make from today’s reading is that Jesus Himself prayed. He felt the need to pray. This comes out especially in the early chapters of Luke. Dallas Willard, in his book ‘The spirit of the disciplines’ makes the point that it is not enough to tell people to walk in Christ’s steps. he argues that we can’t conduct ourselves as Jesus did unless we first and foremost seek to live the life before God that Jesus lived, experiencing the same pattern of withdrawl for prayer/fasting/solitude etc. That is a most perceptive and important point.

Prayer: Lord, teach us to pray.