You won’t be surprised when I tell you that prayer is important in our walk with Jesus. But what is the importance of prayer? Mark 6:45-52 was the event after Jesus miraculously feeds the five thousand. There are a lot of things to ponder about it, but take a closer look at Jesus’ actions, especially on prayer.
‘Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. ‘ (Mark 6:45-52, NIV)
Prayer anchors us to what’s important
The immediate action of Jesus after feeding the five thousand (which was a very successful ministry engagement), was to go up on a mountainside to pray. Where would you go or what would you do after a successful ministry engagement? Or an executed plan goes well? Or the moment you got what you’ve been praying for? Do you celebrate it with others?
Jesus was teaching us to go alone with God and pray.
Celebration is one of the most exciting parts of success or an answered prayer. But oftentimes it is the celebration or that feeling of victory that becomes the main thing. And often it is the main cause why we forget God’s faithfulness. Consider what happened to the Israelites during the Exodus. After they crossed the red sea on dry ground, they sang and praised God, but three days after that, they already grumbled due to the shortage of drinking water supply. We can also see the same things happen over the book of Numbers, and throughout the Bible. It was a cycle of grumble and cry out, and then deliverance and then forget.
Prayer anchors us to what’s important to God. To be intimate with God, and to align with His will. Success is good, especially when you know and understand why God allowed it. You may be enjoying the success that God has provided in your life, but completely miss out on the revelation that He wants you to realize or ponder.
Prayer helps us see God’s perspective
As the passage progresses, particularly in verse 52, it is bothering me that the disciples were still thinking and trying to understand the miracle on the loaves and fish even after they saw Jesus walked on water. It said that “their hearts were hardened”. Jesus just walked on water! Not only that, He stopped the storm the moment He climbed into the boat. What is the implication?
(1) It could be that the disciples were so focused on the ministry that they’ve missed out completely on the point of it, or (2) they’ve celebrated the success of the ministry that they have wandered away from Jesus.
There are many moments in the disciples’ journey with Jesus that they didn’t understand Him—words and deeds. And that is also true in our walk with Jesus. Prayer helps us see His perspective.
In Experiencing God, it says there,
If there were ever a time to relax and bask in the glow of God’s power it should have been then. Instead, Jesus climbed a mountain to pray. When Jesus prayed, the Father clearly revealed His will and His ways to His Son. It eventually dawned on Jesus’ disciples that Jesus prepared for every major decision and difficult challenge with a time of prayer (Luke 11:1).
In Luke 11:1, one of Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. They asked Jesus how to pray. It is fascinating to me that in all that Jesus can do, like miracles, casting out demons, or even preaching a sermon, they asked Him to teach them how to pray.
I think the reason is that it was very evident in Jesus’ life. Maybe, they have concluded that Jesus was very consistent in prayer. Maybe, the power is in the prayer.
One preacher that advocates prayer was Leonard Ravenhill. In his book, Why Revival Tarries? he said that “No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying. The pulpit can be a shop window to display one’s talents; the prayer closet allows no showing off.”
Jesus is great, because of His prayer life. He is always aligned with His heavenly Father.
Final thoughts
Ravenhill also said that “This much is sure in all churches, forgetting party labels; the smallest meeting numerically is the prayer-meeting. If weak in prayer we are weak everywhere.”
Prayer anchors us to what is important and helps us understand and obey God’s will.
Tweet
It provides spiritual strength to hold on to God; to let go and let God. Because at the end of the day, it is our relationship with God that always matters.
In every success or any seeming failure, pray.
In every answered prayer; yes, no, or not yet, pray.
In every circumstance, pray.
‘Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ‘ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV)
Prayer
Lord God, king of the universe, holy and righteous, we offer our lives to you. Thank you for the new life we have now, and the mercies that are new every morning. May it be your will to anchor us to what’s important, and also see things the way you see things. Give us a divine perspective to every circumstance in our lives, that we may align to your will. May it be your will to give us spiritual strength to obey You, especially when it’s hard. May your kingdom come and your will be done. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash
Enduring Generation 