Seasons of Prayer

Jesus followed a regular life of prayer, praying in the morning and evening.  Nevertheless, at moments of decision and distress, Jesus took time for extraordinary prayer, seasons of prayer. 

Before He began his earthly ministry, He spent forty days and nights in solitude in prayer.  Before he chose his disciples, He spent all night in prayer. 

In the Garden of Gethsemane, on the night he was betrayed, He passed time in agonizing prayer. 

He did it for two reasons.  First, Jesus actually enjoyed spending long hours in the presence of His Father.  Whenever He was tired or faced with a difficult burden, He would spend more time with His Father for the same reason we might take a vacation after a long, difficult spell of work, or go to bed early.  It was His way of replenishing His batteries.

Second, He did it as an example.  He may not have needed long times with the Father to seek God’s plans or help, but we do.  Without seasons of special prayer, we cannot do what God calls us to do. 

The busier our life becomes, the more we need to take out special times for prayer—a special day of prayer, a weekend solitary retreat, a series of special prayer meetings, with or without fasting.  God will show you how do to it.  It can also be done alone or with a group of other people.  If you are doing it in a group, you need to make a covenant to be completely honest before God and between yourselves. 

God, renew my heart through the Holy Spirit, and lead me to seek You always, in Jesus’ name, amen.  \

 God will speak to you during this time.  He will guide you in how, when, and what to pray.  Don’t stop the season of prayer until God answers.  When He does, you will experience a revival of the Spirit, and a renewal of the heart.