Scripture: Hebrews 5:7 CEB
“During his days on earth, Christ offered prayers and requests with loud cries and tears as his sacrifices to the one who was able to save him from death. He was heard because of his godly devotion.” It seems the older we get the more predictable our routines can get. Wake up, go to work, work and interact with coworkers, go home, interact with family, watch television or read, do a few tasks around the house, go to bed, repeat. The various items on the agenda will change slightly depending on the person. However, there will be a routine of sorts for all of our lives. The question concerns what those items on our daily agenda will be. Largely, we have control over our own agendas and that to which we give our time, talents, and energy. We only have so many days on this earth and it is important how we spend those days. What influence will we have? What kind of impact will we make on this world? How we spend our days is very important! This is what stands out to me from today’s reading. Luke records that Jesus “during his days on earth” spent much of his time praying. Luke writes that Jesus “offered prayers and requests with loud cries and tears as his sacrifices to the one who was able to save him from death.” Jesus did many things while on earth, but one of the most important things he did was pray. Jesus didn’t just say morning and evening prayers as some sort of routine. Luke says Jesus offered his prayers with “loud cries” and through “tears.” He also records that Jesus offered these prayers as “sacrifices” to God, the Father. As I read this verse it seems pretty clear that Jesus prayed throughout his day. As I read through the Gospels I see Jesus stopping periodically to pray, moving apart from others to pray, praying in large crowds, praying on mountains, praying in gardens, praying alone, praying together, praying on a cross, praying on the beach, and praying in heaven. Jesus prayed during his days on earth. It is my conviction that we are to lead similar lives during our days on earth. We are to pray everywhere and anywhere. We are to pray without anyone and with anybody. We are to pray in private and we are to pray in public. Our prayers should display the emotion we feel. Our prayers should relate the conviction of our faith. What better thing could we do during our days on earth? I know that some will think, “What about action?” I believe that a deeper more continuous life of prayer will move us to action. When we pray for those who are hungry we are moved to feed them. When we pray for those who are naked we are moved to clothe them. When we pray for those who are sick or in prison we are moved to visit them. When we pray for those who are widows or orphans we are moved to love them. Jesus didn’t just pray. It was his time spent in prayer that moved him to feed the five thousand, heal the sick, restore sight to the blind, raise Lazarus from the dead, and suffer on the cross. During his time on earth Jesus did more than we can imagine because he prayed. Make today count! Start with prayer and pray throughout the day. Pay close attention to the leading of the Holy Spirit and do everything the Holy Spirit prompts you to do. This is the start of a life lived in prayer. Surrender every moment you can to Jesus through prayer. At work, at home, at the grocery store, and wherever you go. A little practice I use is to ask God the following question whenever you enter a new place during the day. If you leave your office to go to another part of your workplace, or if you are going to the grocery store, this question is great to ask. Simply ask, “God, reveal to me what you want for me to do and who you want me to talk to in this place.” Make the most of your time here on earth. Prayer: Holy Spirit, come and fill my heart today and make your love an all-consuming fire in the depth of my being. Father God, through the power of your Holy Spirit you have taught your faithful followers all they have ever needed to know. Empower me to make wise decisions in all that I do today so that I will always enjoy the power of your presence in my life. Send your Spirit into my family, my church, my community, and the entire world that all would be made a new creation in you. Only you renew and restore your amazing creation. I pray this today through the powerful name of Jesus Christ my Lord and my Savior. Amen.