Jesus often found special places to pray. His habit of seeking a solitary place where he could spend time with his father was not lost on the disciples. In fact, once when Jesus finished praying, the disciples asked, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1)

Whether it was a garden or a mountain, Jesus sought special places where he could spend time alone with his father. Before he began his ministry, he spent forty days and nights in the wilderness praying. To prepare for selecting his disciples, he spent the entire night in prayer. After a full day of preaching, teaching, and ministering to those who came to him for help, he retreated to a solitary place to pray. He seemed to prefer gardens. He also climbed a mountain to pray. (Luke 6:12) And on one occasion, he took three of his disciples with him to a mountain to meet with his father. (Luke 9:28)

Prayer was not a performance for Jesus. He could have cared less what others thought about his prayer-life. He knew his father didn’t keep score or take attendance. Prayer was not an obligation, but a delightful privilege. 

Is there a place of prayer in the crowed spaces where we live? Is there a priority of prayer in the overbooked schedules of our lives? Paul admonishes us to “Pray without ceasing” and “in everything with prayer and supplication, let your request be known to God.”

It’s easy to lose the passion and priority for prayer. It happens to more of us than you think. Prayer becomes a perfunctory obligation when we are driven by guilt and fear. God doesn’t demand that we pray, rather, he invites into prayer. He longs for us to approach him, walk with him, and enjoy his presence. 

Is there anything we can do to restore or keep that passion?

One thing that helps me keep my prayer-life vibrant and life-giving is to show up every day at a specific place and time. Pete Grieg, founder of the international movement, 24-7 Prayer and Lectio 365, states, “After decades of night and day prayer, I have come to believe that 99 percent of it is just showing up: making an effort to become consciously present to the God who is constantly present to us.” Jesus found those special places throughout his ministry: the wilderness, a mountain, a garden, or a solitary place. 

Theologian, George Buttrick, said, “Prayer is more than a lighted candle. It’s the contagion of health. It’s the pulse of life.” We should give it the priority it deserves and go into our room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Find your place of prayer, show up, and keep it up!

Prayer: Father, I seek your face today. I wait before you and sit in silence to hear your voice. I’ve found my place of prayer again. Help me guard this sacred place and treasure this holy ground. As you did on the day of Pentecost, when you filled the house before you filled the people, come and fill this space as well. (Acts 2:2) Permit me to experience what Isaiah did when “the train of your robe” filled the temple. (Isaiah 6:1) Let me see the fire Moses saw in the burning bush. (Exodus 3). I take off my shoes!

Last night as drove home from a church service, I was feeling extremely tired. Struggling to stay alert, I saw a breath-taking sunset in the rear-view mirror. My exhaustion dissipated, and I felt a surge of joy. The dazzling view behind me reminded me of God’s creative and majestic presence. 

I know there is a scientific explanation for the radiant burst of color at sunset. Light from the sun must pass through more of the atmosphere at sunrise or sunset, and as it does, the longer blue wavelengths are refracted into short ones such as yellow, orange, and red. However, the dazzling beauty touches my heart like nothing else. As I enjoyed the magnificence of creation, I wanted to join Jacob and say, “Surely, the Lord is in this place!” 

David looked into the sky and said, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1) It would be sad to look back on my life and realize I had taken these moments for granted. I don’t want to plow through life without this sense of awe and wonder over God’s presence. When I take time to enjoy the beauty of creation, I am able to sing with the Psalmist: “may we sing for joy and be glad all our days.” (Psalm 90:14)

Seeing the wonder of God’s presence is not a matter of what I see, but how I see. If the lens through which I view the world is thankful appreciation, my heart opens to meditative reflection and produces a sense of profound enjoyment and soul-searching reverence. Gratitude and appreciation are the keys to an awareness of God’s presence. A thankful heart leads me to the conclusion: “How awesome is this place?” And stirs a song in my heart.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God; It is he who made us, and not we are his. We are the sheep of his pasture. (Psalm 100:1-3)

Prayer: Forgive me, Father, when my focus on lesser things keeps me from appreciating the greatness and glory of your presence. Remind me that my problems are never more important than your presence, and with you, nothing is impossible. Overwhelm my senses by giving me a glimpse of your glory through nature and remind me you are the Creator and Sustainer of all that I see. May what I see lead me to bow before you in worship and praise.

We know the danger of falling asleep while driving. The car we purchased a couple of years ago has a feature that detects when your driving patterns are erratic or the car drifts out of the lane too often. A message appears on the digital screen on the dashboard with a picture of a cup of coffee and a question, “Do you need to take a break?” Staying awake is critical not only when we drive but also in our life-journey. 

Recent studies in brain science reveal how our brain functions to keep us awake. Nerve cells in the brainstem release neurotransmitters that act on parts of the brain to keep it alert and working well while you are awake. Joy plays an important part in staying awake. When something we perceive as joyful happens, our brain receives the signal to release two of these neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin, into the central nervous system. These chemicals cause reactions in other bodily systems and we stay alert and awake.

You could say joy is an alarm clock for human the body. It does more than just sound an alarm. It pulls us out of bed and throws us into the shower. Joy is the jet fuel of the brain that keeps us alert physically and spiritually.

Jesus, knowing the grief and confusion his disciples would experience over his crucifixion, spoke to them about joy. He knew joy would enable them to work through their grief and sustain them in during times of persecution and suffering. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11) Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” (John 16:20) 

What turned their grief into joy? 

• His presence with them would be their primary source of joy. He said, “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16:22) A psalm the disciples learned as children said, ““Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.” (Psalm 21:6). And Jesus’ last word to his disciples was: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
• His provision for them. He also reminded them of the important connection between prayer and joy. He said, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:24) Paul’s letter to the Philippians is known as the “letter of joy.” In it, he wrote, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Like a splash of water in the face, joy awakens our hearts. It may be just what you and I need today to wake up and stay awake. “So then, let us not be like others who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6) 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, awaken me with the joy of your presence. Teach me to rejoice and give thanks for all things, even the painful things I’m going through now. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) When I feel down and “under the circumstances,” remind me where I’m seated – with you in heavenly places, above the circumstances! (Ephesians 2:6) Awaken my memory: “The joy of the Lord” is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10); you have a purpose for everything that happens (Romans 8:28); and “greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) Oh, what joy… “inexpressible and glorious.” (1 Peter 1:8)

1 Corinthians 15:20-26

Have you ever read a book from cover to cover? That’s a normal way to read a book, right? You start with the preface or introduction and read to the last chapter or conclusion. Sometimes, however, we get so excited with the twists and turns in the plot that we’re tempted to jump to the end to see how things will turn out. If you love reading, you never do this for fear of missing something important in the story that explains why things turned out the way they did. 

With the story of God, it’s different. If we start with the ending, we understand and make sense of the rest of the story. Paul wanted to help his spiritual children deal with the twists and turns in their own story, so he turned the pages of God’s story to the last chapter. The hurt and pain was so great, he pulled back the curtain and showed them the last scene in the drama of redemption. The ending reveals the ultimate victory. God is going to triumph over his enemies, and we will enjoy the spoils of this victory with him. Paul reminded them, death, the greatest enemy, will be defeated. Death, and the fear of death, will not have the last word.  

Seeing the story from the end to the beginning restores our hope and confidence in God’s goodness. It helps us understand that “all things work together for good to those who are called according to God’s purpose.” (Romans 8:28). With the end of the story in sight, we don’t lose heart. “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16) We are comforted knowing that “this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) Therefore, we are not fixated on “the things that are seen but on the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

We may not see it now, but this stunning victory is coming. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” (Hebrews 2:8b-9) The key to this victory is not what we do, rather what Christ Jesus has already done. This is our living hope and our crown of rejoicing!

Prayer: Sovereign Lord, my faith is small, and my trust is fragile. That’s me today. Remind me of the coming victory and the hope that one day, the enemy I fear the most, will be vanquished. Show me the ending of your story of redemption and restore my hope and renew my faith. Excite my imagination and let me visualize you coming in the fullness of your glory, restoring everything to its original design. Give me a glimpse of the new heavens and new earth. Let my faith soar like an eagle, and from the vantage point of heaven, see the place you are preparing for me and all those who love your appearing. (John 14:3, 2 Timothy 4:8)

Psalm 119:103-106 NIV

The importance of the spoken word of God in the Bible cannot be overstated. From the first line in the creation story in Genesis to the last words in John’s Revelation, the power and glory of God’s spoken word is paramount in forming the present world and shaping the world to come. With only four words (two in Hebrew), God brought the galaxies into existence, causing them to shine amid the empty darkness of the universe. (Genesis 1). Through the spoken word, he brought order and design to chaotic darkness. Just image what his word can do in our lives?

In Jesus, God’s word became flesh and brought truth and grace into view for all humankind. The spoken word became the living word, a word of eternal life and unshakable hope to a world broken by rebellion and fear.

David compared God’s word to light given off by a lamp and to the sweet, satisfying taste of honey. Something both desired and needed; guarded and valued; prized and praised. The entire 119th chapter of Psalms is dedicated to the Word of God. There are more references to God’s word than there are verses in this, the longest chapter in the Bible. 

God’s word is a source of nourishment and joy for those who read and treasure it. It brings wisdom and provides guidance like nothing else. Why do we not read, study, and meditate on it more often? God’s admonition to young Joshua was, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8)

Jeremiah’s testimony is worth noting: “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.” (Jeremiah 15:16) Jesus resisted the devil’s temptation to turn stones into bread with these words: “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)

One of the most impressive stories in the New Testament related to the capacity of God’s Word to transform lives is found in Luke 24:13-36. In this story, Jesus appeared to two disciples who were traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus after his resurrection. He joined these two discouraged disciples as they discussed the events surrounding the crucifixion and their confusion over the empty tomb. Jesus patiently expounded the Scriptures to them, helping them understand why their Messiah had to die and rise from the dead. After traveling together for hours, they sat down with Jesus to eat the evening meal. When Jesus offered the blessing, their eyes were opened, and they realized the stranger who had accompanied them most of the day was the risen Lord Jesus. Immediately, he disappeared from their sight. Overjoyed with excitement, they exclaimed: “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32) 

Prayer: Father, I desire and delight in many things throughout the day. I must confess, some days, your word is not one of them. Forgive me when I rely on bread alone to sustain me. Create in me a deep craving for your word and burn my heart as you did the two disciples on the Emmaus Road. Thrill me with the satisfaction of hearing you speak through the written word, and let those words expound and glorify the “Living Word” who abides in me.

Matthew 8:22

From the time they were youngsters, the disciples heard from their parents and synagogue teachers stories from the Hebrew Scriptures that admonished them not to fear:

• Moses. “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
• Joshua. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
• Isaiah. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
• David. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3)

The stories and promises they learned in Synagogue school seemed like insignificant, ancient history as gigantic waves crashed over the bow of their boat. Terrified for their lives, they asked Jesus if he cared they were about to die. “Lord, why are you asleep at a time like this?”

Jesus could have rebuked the waves first, or admonished them with a word from the Scriptures, but he didn’t. While they were trembling with fear, and perhaps angry that he was asleep during the storm, Jesus asked them a question, “Why are you afraid?”

His question helped the disciples recognize the cause of their fear by identifying it. What are you afraid of? Is it the storm, the sea, or that I was asleep? Do we know why are afraid?  

Humans are conditioned through experience to respond to certain external stimuli by triggering a reaction in the amygdala, two small almond-shaped clusters of nucleoli, located deep in the center of the brain. Their role is to prepare the body to fight or flee by producing cortisol and adrenaline. Some suggest this is the “fear center,” a type of C. P. U. for handling emotional responses to danger. 

There is, however, an alternative response to fearful experiences. God’s antidote for fear is faith. Paul said, “we walk by faith and not be sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) When Simon Peter walked on the water in response to Jesus’ invitation, it was his sight that got him into trouble. The story says, “when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:28-31)

Prayer: Lord, I identify with Simon Peter more often than I like to admit. Fear and anxiety gnaw away at my faith, and I feel like I’m sinking in dark waves of doubt. I can’t help it and I’m afraid. Like Peter, I cry, “Lord, save me!” Thank you for your faithfulness in lifting me from the mire of my short-sighted faith and restoring calm to my storm-damaged heart. Remind me of the ancient promise from your word, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth gives way, and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” (Psalm 46:1-2)

Jeremiah 32:17 ESV

There is a fascinating story in Mark’s Gospel that highlights the contrast between faith and skepticism. When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a large crowd gathered in and around the house where he was staying. Unable to press their way through the crowd, four men tore open the roof and lowered their paralyzed friend in front of Jesus. “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5) The story continues: “But some teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, ‘What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!’ 

Jesus saw the faith of these four men and healed their friend. He saw the skepticism of the religious leaders and pointed them to the sovereignty of God. The rest of the story drives home the purpose of miracles in the Jesus’ life and ministry. 

“Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all.”

On another occasion, Jesus and the disciples passed a man who had been born blind. The disciples wanted to know why. Why was the man born this way? What was the reason for this kind of suffering? Jesus pointed them to God’s larger story, explaining, “… this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”(John 9:1-2)

In one sense of the word, Jesus’ ministry on earth was a fulfillment of Jeremiah, “Nothing is too hard for you! … You performed miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt—things still remembered to this day! And you have continued to do great miracles in Israel and all around the world. You have made your name famous to this day.“ (Jeremiah 32:17, 20)

Faith says, “Wow! Lord, do it again!” Skepticism says, “Who do you think you are? Can you believe the nerve of this guy?” Skepticism today may not be this brash, but in our postmodern, scientific world, miracles are reduced to flukes of nature or unexplained coincidences. Things today do not differ from Jesus’ day. The Bible says: “Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.” (John 12:37)

Do miracles still happen today? Jesus performs a miracle in everyone who comes to him in faith: “My child, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5) This is the greatest miracle of all, and the purpose for which God sent his Son into our world. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) Jesus’ miracles, as John points out in his Gospel, had one singular purpose: “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31) Everything God allows, the tragic and the miraculous, points us beyond this brief life to eternity, and leads us to faith in Him.

Prayer: Father, remind me that “nothing is too hard for you.” I need to hear this when doubt and skepticism run rough-shod over my faith and when I depend on logical explanations rather than childlike trust. Often, I feel like the guy who came to Jesus, desperate for his daughter to be healed, begging: “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) When my analytical mind tries to explain away the miraculous, remind me of Jesus’s words: “… with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

What’s first in my life? I know the Sunday school answer, what I’d like to say, but honestly, what takes priority in my daily life? In the morning, what’s the first thing I want after I’ve wiped the sleep out of my eyes? When I face a problem or a hard choice, where do I go first? What’s the first thought that comes to mind when something unexpected happens? When my heart is broken, to whom do I turn first?

If I am honest, comfort is a priority for me, whether it’s a cup of coffee in the morning or relieving the pain of a nagging headache. The first thing I seek when there’s a problem is a way to solve it. When something unexpected blocks my path to complete a project or task, I put on my strategic hat and search for the best way to get over it or around it. There’s nothing wrong with any of these responses, but should they be first? 

We are like Jesus’ disciples. Food, clothing, and shelter are a priority, the things week seek. They are important, but Jesus told them something else takes priority over even the basic needs in life. The first temptation the devil presented to Jesus after forty days of fasting and prayer in the desert was bread. He was hungry and Satan knew it. Hunger isn’t a sin. In fact, if we didn’t feel hunger, we’d starve to death. The human body is wired to respond to uncomfortable stimuli such as hunger and pain to survive. Hunger isn’t the problem. The problem is how we respond to the hunger. Where do we go first?

Jesus wanted the disciples to remember an important truth about their Heavenly Father. He was aware of their needs and in the model prayer, Jesus included this request: “Give us his day our daily bread.” Before the request, however, comes the relationship, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,” (Matthew 6:9) Wanting Abba Father precedes and supersedes wanting something from him. Seeking him first is the key to meeting every need, solving every problem, and finding relief from every pain. As someone said, “When we put first things first, God gives us the second things in life; but when we go after second things first, we end up with neither.”

How do we do this? It’s not easy. Hunger and pain can overwhelm the body physically and emotionally and drive us to do things we never thought we would ever do. So, how do you keep first things first?

What does it look like to come to God first? It’s different from what you might think. David and the other writers of Israel’s ancient hymnal were brutally honest. The Psalms are filled with complaints that sound more like the writers were picking a fight with God rather than worshiping him. God wants us to run to him, to draw near to him. And he wants us to do this first. Why? “If from there, you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29)

He knows we need him more than what we can get from him, and if we have him, nothing else matters. Regardless of our pain or discomfort, God’s priority is to draw us to himself, to create a desire in us to seek him first.

Prayer: Let my first thought be of you this morning, so when the storm appears later today, my next thought will be of you. I run to you now, when I can see clearly, so when I find myself alone, in pain, and hurting, I will know the path to find you again.

2 Peter 3:9

Jesus was never in a hurry. Even on his way to the cross, passing through a large crowd, he stopped to heal a woman who reached out and touched the hem of his robe. He made time for the little children who needed his attention. On his way through Jericho, he heard blind Bartimaeus’ cry for help and healed him. He went out of his way on a trip from Jerusalem to Galilee to bring good news to a Samaritan woman and then spent two days in her town explaining the Kingdom of God. 

What’s the speed of my love? Life isn’t about the destinations I’ve reached or the tasks I’ve completed, but about the people I’ve loved. If I value loving others, I will never ignore them or use them. They become the focus of my journey rather than its scenery. Jesus said, “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” (John 13:34-35 MSG)

Even though Jesus only had three years to save the world, he was never too busy to love those in his path. He is the perfect example of the speed of love.

James said we should speed up our listening, slow down our speaking, and pause our anger. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:19) 

I am most hurried when I’m completing a task, reaching a destination, or making a deadline. There’s nothing wrong with any of these, but for loving and being loved, speed is the enemy. It takes time to see and appreciate others, and other people need time to see and appreciate us. Building loving relationships requires an unhurried intentionality. Love walks slowly, always mindful of those walking with us.

By slowing down, I become more present to the people I meet, and more aware of the great “I Am” who loves me more than I could ever imagine. It helps me to recite an ancient prayer from the pilgrim’s credo: “I am not in control. I am not in a hurry. I walk in faith and hope. I greet everyone with peace. I bring back only what God gives me.”