Making the Effort to Pray

by Catherine Osornio
Published June 28, 2005

Jerusalem is a very busy city. There is so much going on in this little area: tourists seeing the sites; merchants selling their wares; people waiting for buses; children taking field trips or playing in their school yards; people heading to worship; cars zooming everywhere. It is busy, crowded in some parts, and noisy at times. Even in the days of Jesus, it would have buzzed with activity.

It is no wonder that Jesus didn’t stay long in Jerusalem. His preference was for the quieter northern areas of the nation. The majority of Jesus’ ministry was in the Galilee. The land is beautiful, peaceful, and comforting. There is quiet here, and it is a good place to think and to rest.
Yet, even in the midst of such tranquility, there was controversy. Religious leaders from Jerusalem came to purposely trap Jesus in some argument so they could discredit Him. People were constantly after Him for healing and for food after He fed the multitudes.

He was God in human form, and He could handle the throngs and the demands; but it is interesting that He chose often to go away to pray. He sought the intimate fellowship of the Father for strength and renewal. This is a great lesson for us. We are not God. We cannot handle the throngs and demands of our lives easily. We need fellowship with the Father so we can be strengthened and encouraged and renewed.
In our busy world, it seems an impossibility to find this much needed time. So much consumes us: children; meetings; family preparations; etc. Often we feel stretched and pulled in all directions. But this is exactly why we need to seek fellowship with the Lord. We need to make the point to “get away” and pray.

We don’t have to go far to do this. We can have time with the Lord anywhere: bedroom; den; out on the patio. If we really looked at the time we spent watching fruitless television programs or hitting the snooze button three or four times, we’d also be able to find the time. Try to get up a little earlier to have devotions. It is amazing how better a day goes if we start it with the Lord. I have often found that I can fit more things into my day after I spend quality time with Him.

Follow the Lord’s pattern. Seek the occasion to pray. The time and effort will be rewarding.

Viewed 330 times