On December 30, 2024, at 8pm, TLTF had a group of Christian believers unite on a Zoom call to pray. We opened with a beautiful video narration of Jesus’ last prayer before he was taken in the Garden of Gethsemane to be crucified. That prayer is one I’ve never really taken much time to meditate on, but it is profoundly enlightening and inspiring. Essentially, the prayer has three movements: First, Jesus prayed that what he had done and was about to do would be to the glory of the Father. Next, he prayed for those whom the Father had given him, that they would be one and be kept safe from the wicked one. Then, he prayed for us. Yes, for you and me. He prayed for those who would believe in him through the witness of those who were his followers at that time. He then closed the prayer by asking God to fill us all with “the love with which you loved me.” Imagine knowing, just like Jesus knew, that God loves us in the same way He loved His perfect Son. That is truly more than my mind can comprehend.
From this foundation, we prayed. Every one of us prayed. Everyone spoke their heart openly to our Father and our Lord Jesus. As it turned out, I prayed last; and the first thing that came to my mind was how every person before me had expressed to God their desire to pray more frequently and more deeply. We all prayed that we would pray more in the future.
It really shouldn’t surprise us that our hearts yearn for time in prayer. Of all the miracles Jesus did in front of his disciples, there is no record of them ever asking him for instruction on how to hear from God, how to perform miracles, or how to teach. But they did ask him how to pray. Undoubtedly, they recognized that his prayer life was the one thing that separated him from all other rabbis.
When teaching them how to pray, his first instruction was to recognize God as “Father.” This was virtually an unknown concept to Jews of that day. In fact, it was unrecognized by virtually all of humanity. For the Jew, there was never a question of whether God was real. As a people, they had witnessed His presence firsthand for generations; a pillar of fire by night, a cloud by day, His visible glory descending the mountain to reside in the tabernacle. They knew God was real, but they didn’t know Him as “Father.” Later, Jesus would even use the endearing term “Abba” to describe God. Such would be almost scandalous to the upright Jews of his day. Yet, that is who Jesus says we are addressing when we pray. We pray to a loving, caring, listening Father whose eyes and ears are fixed on us when we bare our hearts to Him.
The second point of instruction from Jesus was reverence toward God, “hallowed be your name.” To hallow is to make a thing holy or sacred. Prayer should never be taken lightly or as one of many boxes to be checked in the daily life of a Christian. Prayer is a sacred engagement with a holy God. Just as Jesus, on the worst night of his life, prayed first to bring glory to the Father, we should pray with the same purpose: to bring glory to God.
For the majority of my Christian journey, I’ve been deeply invested in the pursuit of biblical knowledge. I’ve poured countless hours into studying scripture, engaging in biblical discussions, and diligently preparing lessons for teaching others. I am genuinely grateful for the intellectual understanding and the rich tapestry of truths I’ve gleaned from the Bible. These foundational principles have shaped my worldview and informed my faith. I acknowledge and cherish the intellectual growth that has come from this season.
However, a significant shift has recently occurred in my spiritual landscape. I find myself experiencing a profound and undeniable pull towards the disciplines of prayer and service. The desire to delve further into the minutiae of scripture, while still important, no longer holds the same captivating allure as it once did. I can honestly say that I don’t feel a pressing “need” to learn more bible. I already know a lot more than I live. I have a substantial amount of biblical understanding, yet I often fall short in embodying those truths in my daily life.
It’s in these moments of self-reflection that I understand my deficiency lies not in intellectual acquisition, but in the practical application of my faith. I sense a deep yearning for a more consistent and intimate relationship with God through prayer. I desire to cultivate a life where prayer is not just a ritual, but a constant and natural expression of my reliance on God. I long to rest in the security of His unconditional love, to be enveloped by His grace, and to receive His guidance in every aspect of my life. More than anything, I yearn to live in a state of prayerful acceptance, surrendering my will to His perfect plan.
The authentic joy I seek is not ephemeral or derived from fleeting circumstances, but is rooted in the constant, tangible reality of God’s presence in my life. I want His joy to saturate my being and overflow into every interaction I have. My heart is increasingly drawn towards people, towards their needs and their hurts. I want my heart to be so inclined toward people that I can joyfully give them whatever I have to help them come to know God.
I’ve come to realize that fulfilling this profound longing doesn’t require further accumulation of knowledge. It requires a fundamental shift in my disposition. It demands a willingness to lay down pride and embrace a posture of humility. It’s about surrendering my perceived control and allowing God to work through me, to shape me into the man He desires me to be. My priority has shifted from accumulating knowledge to becoming a conduit of His love and grace. It’s time I move beyond intellectual assent to practical obedience, fueled by prayer and fueled by service to others, all while accepting the gracious love that God has freely given me.
As we step into this new year, I believe it’s crucial that we intentionally seek a closer relationship with God and our Lord Jesus. My request is that each of us commits to spending more time alone with them in prayer. This dedicated time should be a space of vulnerability where we humbly surrender to them leading, shaping our thoughts, actions, and ultimately, our path. With this foundation of prayer and submission, we can then effectively step out and serve those around us, making a tangible difference in their lives.
Praying For and With You,
Comments
I truly love this article for the heart and honesty it set forth. The desire for the intimate relationship with The Father through obedience, prayer and service is what our heart longs for.