But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16
In today’s society busyness is often seen as a sign of productivity. Every moment of everyday things are added to a person’s to-do list to keep busy and productive.
It is common for a person to feel as if he is missing out on something if he stops or is not participating in some event. With social media sites flooding the internet, there is always something to watch or respond to, in order to stay ‘connected. People will work eighty hour work weeks to make money, so they can have a great vacation, that they never slow down to take.
Jesus had crowds of people coming to hear Him and to be healed. Yet, Jesus would often get away to a lonely place to pray.
With thousands of people needing to be healed and all needing to hear the gospel message, Jesus could have been busy twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and still never meet all of the needs. There was a lot of work to do, yet, He often stopped to pray.
This time of prayer was to hear what His Father was saying, get directions, and to renew His Spirit with the Father’s Spirit.
Often believers get busy, just as the world does, with doing things. They are so busy with church events, visiting others, relaxing, work, ministry and life in general, that they often do not take time to pray. They do not seek what God’s will is for the moment or to reconnect with the Father.
When this occurs, they are doing things in their own strength and often will burn out. Every believer needs to take time often to get away from all of the busyness of life and pray, to seek God, His direction and His strength.
You may find yourself worn out, weary and wanting to stop. This is due to your constant running and doing things. You may be running ahead of God or in a different direction.
Stop and take time to pray. Turn off the social media, silence the phone, turn off the television and get alone with God. As you pray, God can renew your spirit and guide you as to what you should do next.
As you take time to pray alone, you will be able to be more effective for God, then doing it on your own.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will take time to pray to God; that you will know God’s renewing presence; that God will reveal His desires for you; and that you will be effective for God.
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