This post is part of a 40-day journey following Jesus in his prayer life. We’ll explore virtually every reference in the Gospels to Jesus and prayer. For a more in-depth treatment, see my book Prayers from the Pit.
“In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor” (Luke 6:12-16 ESV).
A critical moment arrives: the selection of a small group to educate and equip so that Jesus’ ministry could multiply. Few things mattered as much as identifying and appointing this team.
Because of this, Jesus precedes his selection of the Twelve with supplication for the Twelve. Before he picks, he prays. Before he acts, he asks the Father.
Two things characterize Jesus’ prayer. First, its place: “the mountain.” Jesus chooses an uninterrupted place. Second, its persistence: “all night he continued in prayer.” Jesus chooses an unceasing pace.
Is there an important decision you need to make or an important task you need to undertake? Precede it with prayer. Consider the right place. Find an uninterrupted place. Consider the pace. Choose an unceasing pace. Pray until an answer arrives. The choice you are facing cannot be any greater than Jesus’. Therefore, your need for prayer cannot be any less than Jesus’.
