Psalm of the Day: Psalm 55
Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 31:1-9
Scripture Reading: Luke 5:1-11
We see our Lord Jesus Christ's diligence about private prayer. Although "crowds of people came to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses," He still made time for secret prayer. As holy and undefiled as He was, He would not allow the demands life to prevent regular private communion with God. We are told that "He withdrew into the wilderness and prayed."
There is an example set before us here, which is much overlooked in these latter days. There are few professing Christians who strive to imitate Christ in this matter of prayer. There is abundance of hearing, and reading, and talking, and profession, and visiting, and almsgiving, and subscribing to societies, and teaching at schools. But is there a due proportion of private prayer? Are believing men and women sufficiently careful to be frequently alone with God? These are humbling and heart-searching questions! But we shall find it useful to give an answer to them.
There is not enough private prayer! The cause of Christ does not need less working but it does need more praying among the workers.
Let us each examine ourselves and amend our ways. The most successful workmen in the Lord's vineyard, are those who are like their Master often and much upon their knees.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, help me to imitate Jesus and pray.
Action Plan: Is my prayer time giving a list of demands to God or is it fellowship and communion with God? If Jesus prayed so often because he had a infinitely deep relationship with God, then what should we seek?
This devotional was taken from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle published in 1858
and adapted by Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Shores Baptist Church.
