Big Needs Need Big Prayers

I have been so blessed to see so many venues whereby Christians are raising their voices in united prayer for our nation. This is God’s prayer for us to pray: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Jesus showed us the way to handle the tough things in our lives – though it’s not an easy way. He prayed all night. He set the example for us. He showed us how to make it through the great emergencies in our lives. He made it through some of the most difficult times because He spent an unusual portion of time in prayer. It makes sense to follow in His footsteps.

I’ve had similar nights. The first time I spent the night praying was when dear friends were close to losing their little 4-year-old boy as he battled cancer. For the first time I knew what “travail” meant. Travail means engaging in laborious effort. Certainly not just because of my prayers, but because many stood on the frontlines praying for that little boy. Here we are almost 50 years later, and he is alive and well.

I believe we’ve underestimated the importance of prayer. When we have big needs, what do we do? People in the business world will spend hours in strategic planning, goal setting and marketing plan development, even if it takes all-night sessions. Why should it seem strange that those who know God turn to Him to intervene for the strategic, life-altering things that we need? Shouldn’t we spend time in the far more important business of prayer with our CEO?

Jesus first came on the scene for His public ministry when He was baptized by John the Baptist, God verbally announced “This is My Beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.” Then God sent Him to the wilderness to be tempted by Satan for 40 days. Why would a loving Father do such a thing? Father knew best. Jesus fasted and prayed and never yielded to the lies of Satan. And once He conquered that test, His next assignment was to find twelve disciples to follow Him. Imagine the weight on His shoulders to go about a task of finding twelve men that would one day change the world. Jesus praying those 40-days is a lesson to all of us. He had a decision to make that would resound throughout history.

Jesus was completely a man, but He was also completely God. We can ask, “Why would Jesus pray?” As a man He had the same needs that we have — He needed divine support and strength. He was divine, yet He was tempted just like us. Jesus sought the Father’s wisdom, setting a profound example for us. If Jesus needed to pray for wisdom, how much more do we need to follow His example?

It is in the secret place with God where we learn from Him. We can fellowship with Christ so intimately in the secret place that we can understand His will for our lives and be empowered by His Spirit to walk it out. I’m learning to be a Mary – to sit at His feet and learn from Him – how about you?