Often times there are some common habits or characteristics among admirable people. Some are early-risers, some are committed to exercise, some are high-energy, some are serious readers, some are caffeine dependent, some are introverts, some are extraverts and so on and so on. I find it fascinating to look into the lives and practices of people that I look up to.
There is no one I admire and adore more than Jesus Christ. He is the most complete man. He is the most worthy man of any and all emulation. In short, Jesus is the one we all should be like. Jesus is the standard. With that said, we should look to Jesus and his way of life. We should want to know what He was like.
Recently I was looking into just how often Jesus prayed. Wow! I knew he prayed. I knew he was faithfully committed to prayer. And I knew he prayed often. But I was totally taken back by just how much Jesus prayed. He prayed all the time. He prayed about everything.
As I look to Jesus’s life as an example to follow, I am convicted and encouraged to be more committed to prayer. I want to pray like Jesus. I want to be a praying man.
I want to be a praying husband. I want to be a praying father. I want to be a praying pastor. I want my church people to know that I am praying for them. I want them to be sure of that!
In Matthew 6:5, Jesus says “And when you pray …”
Jesus teaches us to pray, asks us to pray, commands us to pray, and even expects us to pray.
Not only do I want to be like Jesus, but I really want to be what Jesus wants me to be.
Again, I want to be a praying man. And that desire for myself is the same desire that I have for our church.
Let me, along with God’s word, encourage you to begin praying!