Today is the 2nd 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: 32That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38And he said to them, “let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. (Mark 1:32-39 ESV)
The “whole city” shows up at the door of Peter’s home–an endless line of the sick and oppressed. Jesus heals and cleanses them, but apparently not all of them. Because the next morning “everyone is looking” for Jesus. Yet just as they draw near to Jesus, Jesus retreats away from them. Jesus trades “activity” for “receptivity.” He stops giving so that he might start receiving–guidance, power, perspective, discernment–from the Father through prayer.
There are times when the spiritual life must be about receptivity, not activity. Prayer makes this possible. There are times when prayer is more about getting rather than giving. How is the balance between receptivity and activity in your spiritual life? Spend a few quite moments right now to receive something from the Father in prayer.
SHARE WITH OTHER READERS BELOW ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU RECEIVE THROUGH PRAYER…
[image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/legrisak/2174820630/]
My life, the life I have made for myself, is very “busy”. I run a business (busy-ness) , volunteer in several ways, and try to find time for my family in between. Prayer for me is centering, it draws me back to who I am and whose I am. More and more I am trying to simply listen to God, to feel His presence and be filled with His Spirit. Like John the Baptist, I know “He must become greater; I must become less.” And it always amazes me how reenergized I am when I’ve emptied myself of me and opened myself to Him.
Thank you, God, for this new day and for being there when we call on you. Help us reflect your Holy presence to the world around us that they may know you too.
I too wrestle with the busyness I allow to creep into my business, Jay. May today be filled with peace and calm as we receive what the Father longs to give through prayer.
Prayer brings back into focus the important things in life, from spiritual disciplines to playing with my children. It is a time of peace but also a time to be “re”-pointed in the right direction. The peace seems to lessen the non-important matters of this world and helps regrasp the “we are but a vapor” concept from James.
If I am honest with myself even my times of solitude are still often filled with activity. I read, write, create or talk. Nothing wrong with that, but the focus too easily becomes what I am doing, not what I can and should receive at this moment from God. Sometimes He pushes through my activity to bring something of greater value than anything I can produce for him, but what am I missing in all my devotional busyness? I guess that centering, that peace, that “re”-pointing. I will be trying to sit and receive much more during these next six weeks.
Taking time. Not my normal practice in life. This is a spiritual discipline that I have had to really work on for many years. I, like you, Jason, find my “quiet time” being filled with many distractions. In an effort to remain more focused, I came up with something a few years ago, that has really helped me. I have shared this before, so it won’t be “new” news to all.
Almost every weekday morning, after everyone has left for work or school, I go to each girl’s room and pray for them. I actually sit on their beds as I go to God in prayer on their behalf. Those prayers have changed over the years from praying for a specific issue in their school lives to now concerns they have about work or relationships. The list of names is ever increasing with the addition of a son in law and boyfriends, and will continue to change with each stage of life.
After I leave their rooms, I sit is Rodney’s leather chair and lift him to God. I pray for our relationship as husband and wife and also as son and daughter and mother and father. I then go to my chair and pray for things I need God to be in control of in my life. I try to be intentional to ask that I release the upcoming events of the day to be led by the Holy Spirit.
The girls always knew this was my routine and they would even leave notes on their beds or send me a text asking me to pray for something specific for them that morning.
This time always allows God to “prioritize” my day. By putting this first, it seems to put all other things in perspective for the day. The days just seem to be left in His hands. I find comfort in allowing God and the Holy Spirit to be given the control.
Jesus is such a great example of “falling” back to receive the game plan. We see it here and other times including the garden. So much to be gained by sitting back and allowing God to give direction, renewal, strength, conviction….
Thanks Chris for doing this!!!
Great concrete example of prayer, Michelle! Thanks for sharing!
David, Jason, and Michelle,
What moving insights and stories! Thanks so much for sharing your heart and for reflecting on this scene from Christ’s life. Today is a day when I, even more than normal, am in need of receiving rather than giving. I am grateful for the opportunity prayer provides for this.
Often when I pray I find myself so easily distracted, my thoughts bouncing here and there ever farther away from where I want my focus to be. That is when I turn to meditation, or silent prayer. Focusing on one thought only or even on my breathing, pushing away all other thoughts patiently, this helps me receive what God has to offer me at that moment.
All too often prayer has been a part of my “job.” When I was a young idealistic youth minister I tried to pray a minimum of 3 times a day, but found the distractions overwhelming, so guilt set in because prayer was something I was “supposed” to do, but most often didn’t. As a grizzled old chaplain I still find the distractions tug and pull at me, but praying for others daily has placed a sort of “prayer rhythm” in my life.
Intercessory prayer for folks you don’t know has forced me into the presence of God more regularly that I would force myself. It is inspirational to hear folks tell me the next day how God has answered my prayers… and somehow they want to attribute that to me. Deep down inside I know it has very little… no, NOTHING to do with me. But this 40 day journey to the cross has got me forcing myself into the presence of God for my own sake. Not because I HAVE to, but because I WANT to.
I read something powerful lately that taught me that all prayer is a response to what God has already said and done. Prayer is a continuous dialogue between us and the Father. I am now learning to listen… and answer… and listen… and answer. Yet another (and new) rhythm to prayer life. I am learning that prayer brings peace and comfort to an anxious soul that has placed himself on way too many guilt trips.
I love your prayer ritual, Michele, and I had not heard that before. I love that your girls know you are praying for them too. What an incredible assurance that must be. Thank you all for your inspiration. Peace and grace. JP
Cathlyn and Kevin,
Thanks for joining in the conversation. Cathlyn, I too have found silent prayer to be particularly enjoyable and fruitful. Kevin, thank you for giving us a peek into your life and calling. I’m grateful for the ongoing prayer rhythm you are developing.
Pingback: Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-21 | chrisaltrock.com
Comments are closed.