Today’s Key Scripture (all references NKJV unless otherwise noted:

And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

—Luke 5:16, KJV

The New Testament refers numerous times to how important it was for our Lord Jesus to get away to spend time with His Father. Jesus prayed often. He taught on the subject of prayer. He emphasized the need for prayer and spending time in God’s presence.

Yet, through the centuries, many people have asked, “Why did Jesus have to pray at all since He is God?”

I believe there were several reasons why Christ prayed:

  • The nature of the Trinity Itself points to constant communication between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
  • God the Son was both divine and human. It was quite appropriate for a devout Jew to pray, both publicly and privately.
  • Above all, Jesus was the Master Teacher, so it seems perfectly natural that Jesus prayed as an example to His disciples and other followers around Him.

 

Regardless of the reasons, we know that Jesus Christ prayed and spent intimate time in communion with God regularly, to the point that He was asked specifically by the disciples, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). Throughout the Gospels, it is evident that prayer and intimacy with God was part of every aspect of Christ’s life,

Oh, that people may say the same about you and me?

A Prayer for Today:

Lord,  thank You for not only teaching me how to pray, but also for pointing to my absolute need to spend time with You in intimate communion. I want to know You better. I want to move into a deeper relationship with You. Teach me Your ways. Thank You for Your Word which reveals You, Your will, and my absolute need for You in every area of my life. I surrender myself to You. Please help me even when I lack faith and understanding. I pray this in Your Name, Amen!