WHILE JESUS PRAYED
When all the people were baptized,
it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized;
and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.
The Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him,
and a voice came from heaven which said,
“You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
Luke 3:21-22
Prayer provides the greatest moments in a Christian’s life. While Jesus prayed, heaven opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. The Spirit flowed through the disciples as they gathered to pray on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:14; 2:1). The disciples prayed together after Pentecost, and their gathering place was shaken! They felt emboldened to proclaim the gospel throughout the city (Acts 4:31)!
Why is Prayer Important?
Prayer is not a substitute for hard work – prayer is the work! God does things in our lives through prayer that He does in no other way. While we pray and while our attention is turned toward God, we align our lives with God’s will. When we are focused upon Him – instead of racing off to our next appointment – God equips us with His power. We become empowered by His Spirit when we are actively listening to what He is saying.
Your Daily Prayer:
Thank God for giving you the precious gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Also thank Him for showing you how to pray, by following the model Jesus presented. Jesus did not always receive what He asked for, but His prayers were always heard and always answered (Mark 14:36; Hebrews 5:7). If you do not sense the Holy Spirit’s power in your life, then you may not be spending enough time in prayer. Ask God to show you how to be more committed to sustained time in prayer. Seek God’s help in putting aside your own agenda. Commit yourself to meaningful time in prayer and then watch as God works in your life just as He did in the lives of Jesus and His disciples.
Source:
“Experiencing God Day-By-Day; The Devotional and Journal”, by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby ©1997. Entry October 2.
Additional Reading:
Prayer Is Preparation
Grace, Mercy and Peace