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Gain Spiritual Strength Through Prayer, January 13
Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out
and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
Mark 1:35
, NKJV.
Because the life of Jesus was a life of constant trust, sustained by continual
communion, His service for heaven was without failure or faltering. Daily beset by
temptation, constantly opposed by the leaders of the people, Christ knew that He
must strengthen His humanity by prayer. In order to be a blessing to people, He
must commune with God, from Him obtaining energy, perseverance, steadfastness.
The Savior loved the solitude of the mountain in which to hold communion
with His Father. Through the day He labored earnestly to save men, women, and
children from destruction. He healed the sick, comforted the mourning, called the
dead to life, and brought hope and cheer to the despairing. After His work for the
day was finished, He went forth, evening after evening, away from the confusion of
the city, and bowed in prayer to His Father. Frequently He continued His petitions
through the entire night; but He came from these seasons of communion invigorated
and refreshed, braced for duty and for trial.
Are the ministers of Christ tempted and fiercely buffeted by Satan? So also was
He who knew no sin. In the hour of distress He turned to His Father. Himself a
source of blessing and strength, He could heal the sick and raise the dead; He could
command the tempest, and it would obey Him; yet He prayed, often with strong
crying and tears. He prayed for His disciples and for Himself, thus identifying
Himself with human beings. He was a mighty petitioner. As the Prince of life, He
had power with God, and prevailed....
Those who teach and preach the most effectively are those who wait humbly
upon God, and watch hungrily for His guidance and His grace. Watch, pray, work—
this is the Christian’s watchword. The life of a true Christian is a life of constant
prayer. He knows that the light and strength of one day is not sufficient for the
trials and conflicts of the next. Satan is continually changing his temptations. Every
day we shall be placed in different circumstances; and in the untried scenes that
await us we shall be surrounded by fresh dangers, and constantly assailed by new
and unexpected temptations. It is only through the strength and grace gained from
heaven that we can hope to meet the temptations and perform the duties before
us.—
Gospel Workers, 255-258
.
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