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Today is the 16th day of Lent, a 40 day season of spiritual reflection, repentance, and renewal.  During these 40 days we’ll explore the prayer life of Jesus, walking chronologically through every mention of Jesus’ prayer life and prayers in the Gospels.

Here is today’s prayer event:  17Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” (John 11:17-22 ESV)

Jesus’ reputation as a person of powerful prayer precedes his arrival at Bethany.  Martha has witnessed enough of Jesus’ prayers or heard enough about Jesus’ prayers that she has no doubt–if this man prays for her brother to rise from the dead, then her brother will rise from the dead!  Martha has a prayer-request that tops all prayer-requests: rescue Lazarus from death.  And who does she bring the prayer request to?  She brings it to Jesus.

Are you known by others as a person of  powerful prayer?  If someone in your circle of influence had a unusually challenging prayer request, would they bring it to you?  Why?  Why not?

(NOTE: this series pauses on Sundays; spend this day reflecting on lessons learned during the previous six days).

SHARE WITH READERS BELOW A PERSON TO WHOM YOU HAVE BROUGHT CHALLENGING PRAYER REQUESTS AND WHY YOU ENTRUSTED THEM WITH SUCH REQUESTS.

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Today is the 15th day of Lent, a 40 day season of spiritual reflection, repentance, and renewal.  During these 40 days we’ll explore the prayer life of Jesus, walking chronologically through every mention of Jesus’ prayer life and prayers in the Gospels.

Here is today’s prayer event: 13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.  (Mark 10:13-16 ESV)

To “bless” someone in Jesus’ day was a form of prayer.  It was a way of asking God to look favorably upon an individual.  Here, Jesus blesses or prayerfully intercedes for children.  And it’s no cold and stately blessing.  He takes them in his arms, lays his hands on them, and blesses them.  Can you imagine what it must have felt like for a child, having just been dismissed by Jesus’ disciples, to have Jesus pick you up, hold you, and bless you?

Look for opportunities today to pray prayers of blessings over people, especially over people who, like these children, may be forgotten or dismissed by others.  Bless your children, a friend, your spouse, your boss, your waitress, the janitor, your teacher, your parents, your neighbor, your mail carrier, or the man with the cardboard sign asking for money.  Utilize the following biblical blessings out loud or silently:

• The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Num. 6:24-26 ESV)
•  May the LORD give strength to you!  May the LORD bless you with peace! (based on Ps. 29:11 ESV)
•  May God be gracious to you and bless you and make his face to shine upon you, that His way may be known on earth, His saving power among all nations.  (based on Ps. 67:1-2 ESV)
•  May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth! (Ps. 115:15 ESV)
•  The LORD bless you!  May you see the prosperity of his work all the days of your life!  May you live a long life!  Peace be upon you! (based on Ps. 128:5-6 ESV)
•  May the LORD bless you, he who made heaven and earth! (based on Ps. 134:3 ESV)

SHARE WITH READERS BELOW: WHO BLESSED YOU GROWING UP, OR WHO MIGHT YOU BLESS TODAY?

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Today is the 14th day of Lent, a 40 day season of spiritual reflection, repentance, and renewal.  During these 40 days we’ll explore the prayer life of Jesus, walking chronologically through every mention of Jesus’ prayer life and prayers in the Gospels.

Here is today’s prayer event: 30The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” (John 9:30-33 ESV).

Jesus heals a man born blind.  The Pharisees attack the veracity of the miracle and the character of the Messiah (he performed this deed on the Sabbath).  They demand to know from the once-blind man how such a thing could have happened, if indeed it happened at all. 

Notice how the man replies: “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.”  Though John never explicitly describes such a scene, this man’s comments suggest that the healing was in response to a prayer which Jesus prayed and to which God listened. 

Even when it appears Jesus was dancing solo, he was pairs dancing.  An observer would have only noticed Jesus healing a blind man.  But the blind man knew it was Jesus, through prayer, acting in partnership with God.  Prayer had become so habitual and natural to Jesus that it was as if he was always in prayer.

How about you?  Are you dancing solo most of the day and only occasionally pausing to prayerfully partner with God?  Or is prayer as much a part of your minute-by-minute life that it’s like breathing, that you’re always pairs dancing?

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