January 5, 2016:  SOAP #2224:  

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 5:15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.  16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Observation:   Prayer was so important to Jesus that He would “often withdraw” from the crowds to spend time alone with His Father.  Doing His Father’s will was important; so Jesus often spent time in prayer.  Jesus wanted His disciples to have the same priority.  He set them an example.  He told them to pray.  He even taught them how to pray.

Application:  If Jesus, the sinless Son of God, needed time to pray, how much more do I need to spend time with my Heavenly Father.   If prayer was a priority to Him, how much more should it be my priority.

Prayer:   Lord, you walk and talk with me.  You never leave me.  You face everything I face and hear everything I hear.  Yet it is important for me to have time when my focus is only on you and yours is the only voice I hear.  Time alone with you prepares me for the time I am in the crowd.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!