What Jesus Did! 'The Importance of Prayer' — Luke 6:12-13

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Merry Christmas!

We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

 Read More
One day soon [after healing the man with the deformed hand,] Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names:...
— Luke 6:12-13 NLT

Key Thought

Few events were more important in Jesus' ministry than his selection of apostles. How would Jesus select twelve from the mob that followed him? These men would have to be the initial leaders in a movement that would change the world. Could he actually find twelve who could do that? Jesus knew what was in the hearts of people. Would anyone be able to stand up to the challenges that he would have to face as one of Jesus' chosen twelve? Jesus withdrew to the mountains to be alone with God and pray as he faced this momentous decision. He didn't choose twelve and then ask God to bless his choice. No, he spent the night in prayer before he chose the twelve. When faced with decisions, whether they appear important or not, we need to follow the example of our Lord!

Today's Prayer

Holy and loving Father, stir my heart with a deeper yearning for prayer. I need your guidance every day, so please dear Lord, bless me with the discipline of daily fervent prayer. Particularly in those times when I face very hard decisions, have your Holy Spirit stir my spirit with a longing to come into your presence and find my guidance and peace in you. In Jesus' name, and because of Jesus' example, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 5:16
  • Mark 1:35-39
  • James 1:5-8

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, March 23, 2023

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'All People Matter' (Acts 6:5)
"Everyone liked this idea [of appointing spiritually wise men to oversee the food distribution], and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of....."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Longing to Look' (1 Pe. 1:12)
"All [the prophets] were told was that they were serving you, you who by orders from heaven have now heard for yourselves — through the Holy Spirit —..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Luke 19:40
"But could the stones cry out? Assuredly they could if he who opens the mouth of the dumb should bid them lift up their voice. Certainly if they were....."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'The One Foundation' (1 Co. 3:9-13)
"Dear Father, designer of destiny, Thank you for your concern for us. We are the field that you tend, the building that you build. You build us as..."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 6:12-13 NLT — Here are their names:...

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!