It’s been almost three months since we completed the sermon series in the Gospel of Luke. I was reading an article by Leonard Ravenhill on the prayer life of Jesus and came across this amazing quote:
There’s nothing more transfiguring than prayer. People often ask, “Why do you insist on prayer so much?” The answer is very simple: because Jesus did. You could change the title of “The Gospel according to St. Luke” to “The Gospel of Prayer.” It’s the prayer life of Jesus. The other evangelists say that Jesus was in the Jordan and the Spirit descended on him as a dove—Luke says it was while he was praying that the Spirit descended on him. The other evangelists say that Jesus chose 12 disciples—Luke says it was after he spent a night in prayer that he chose 12 disciples. The other evangelists say that Jesus died on a cross—Luke says that even when he was dying Jesus was praying for those who persecuted him. The other evangelists say Jesus went on a mount and he was transfigured—Luke says it was while he was praying that he was transfigured. There’s nothing more transfiguring than prayer.
As we continue to pray for Good Friday and Easter, I would encourage you to pray:
- That the gospel could be clearly proclaimed,
- That hearers would see themselves in the death and life offer of Jesus,
- That people who do not know Jesus would come to know him,
- That those who have not been walking with him would return to him, and
- That everyone would be captivated by him.
Jesus’ ministry continues through us, his church, and that means his prayer ministry as well.
