Prayer before selecting disciples

Naming Apostles & Ministering to a Multitude

Twenty years ago, I was ordained into pastoral ministry.  The first book my dad gave me for that occasion was called, Power through Prayer.  It’s an insightful look at prayer in the lives of Biblical characters.  For me, the gift itself showed me the high priority of prayer in my dad’s life and ministry and how much I should value it in my path forward.  

In the passage for this week, Luke recounts Jesus praying on the side of a mountain and says it was a common practice of His for that time.   Luke points out that Jesus spends the whole night praying in that place.  What was so important to Jesus that He would spend the whole night praying?  Could it be that Jesus found ultimate rest in communing with His Father?  Could it be that Jesus was praying for His spiritual children – His disciples that He was about to send off on their own among the multitudes to minister in His name?  Could it be that Jesus was demonstrating to His disciples the high priority of prayer in order for them to experience the power of God in their lives?  Luke then reports that the next day Jesus chose 12 apostles from among his many disciples.  Apostle means “sent one.”  Jesus has always been preparing His followers for the sending.  Jesus wants these men to make Him known by bearing witness to all that they’ve seen and heard of Him.  On that same day when they come down from the mountain with Jesus, those apostles witness the power of God revealed through Jesus to heal and bless the gathering multitudes through signs and wonders.

My youngest just turned 16 on Sunday and I got to pray for him before we ate supper that night.  I don’t know if I’ve ever been more earnest in my prayer to thank my Heavenly Father for allowing me to know my son for the last 16 years and walk alongside him.  I prayed earnestly that God would be glorified by his life going forward, that my son would be filled with the Holy Spirit and bear much fruit to honor Jesus and His Kingdom.  Psalm 127:4 came to mind. I thank God that my son has seen me pray earnestly and often in Jesus name.  This young man is on his way in life and I’ve given my all to disciple him well and prepare him for the send-off by continually pointing him to Jesus as the ULTIMATE.  

I am amazed at the way Jesus works.  Jesus still sends us to bear witness of Him to the multitudes that need to hear from Him and be healed.  But He does not send anyone out without first inviting them into fellowship with Him.  The beautiful thing about earnest prayer is that it is communing with God and knowing His heart.  Gospel ministry and prayer are cyclical.  The more we go out on mission for Jesus, the more we need to pray and experience His power.  

I thank God for the example of a praying pastor and dad in my life.  I thank God that Jesus still invites me to pray. I thank God for a praying church family and the signs and wonders we have witnessed from God in prayer.  May we continue to be a praying church that finds our greatest refreshment in the powerful presence and indelible grace of Jesus.  

Grateful and hopeful in Christ,

Jon