LAST time we specially dwelt upon the fact revealed in this passage that Jesus took himself apart to pray, and we reminded ourselves that if Jesus found such practice important, how much more important it must be for ourselves. I feel compelled to continue with this theme, and give some practical instruction on the practice of prayer. This is not exactly exposition of the text, but it does arise from it, and I feel that it would be helpful for this reason that the example of Jesus instructs us as to the importance of this practice, but we rarely, if ever, receive any advice as to how the practice of prayer can be engaged in. It seems to be assumed that it is an easy matter, and that we should all be able to engage in it quite readily. However in experience the practice of prayer is found to be not so easy as it would seem.

Let us notice the importance of being alone and quiet. Jesus sent his disciples off, and went to a solitary place. I know that in our modern world it is not so easy to find a quiet place to be alone with God, but if we can find such a place it is well worth while. Even if we can't find a quiet place, we should find the quietest place. Noise and clamour so easily distracts us.

The next thing the example of Jesus tells us is that the importance of the practice of prayer demands that we give it the highest priority in our lives. Every day we have a multiplicity of tasks to perform. All of them are important. At home there are a hundred and one things which need to be done. If we have a family, the demands of children press upon us. The fact is that however important everything else may seem to be, we should give time to the practice of prayer even if it means that other things do not get done. The demands of people, and the needs of his disciples, in the life of Jesus had to give place to this communion with his Father.

In the example of Jesus we see Jesus giving up sleep to be quiet with God. In the example here it was in the evening. Other places tell us Jesus got up early before day break in order to find time for prayer. The flesh is weak. In the morning our bed is warm and inviting, and in the evening our tired body cries out for rest. It is so difficult to give real time and quality time to prayer. We may well say that there are other times in the day, but in reality we find that with the best intentions other things crowd out prayer. This means discipline which is so difficult, but now late in life I can testify to the blessing of getting up earlier in order to spend time with God.

Jesus refused to allow the disciples distress to keep him from prayer. Mark tells us that he saw them, with his divine sight, straining at the oars, and terrified and in distress, but he did not go to help until he had prayed. No doubt if the disciple were in immediate danger he would have gone to help them immediately, but he did not allow their distress which was not life threatening to keep him from spiritual revitalization. He knew that he was better able to be the helper, when he was spiritually strong. We must not let the claims of others upon us keep us from communion with the Lord.

Then how should we use our time. The practice of prayer is not just intercession, though this is important. The practice of prayer is communion with the Lord. This means dwelling in his company, listening to his voice, and responding to him in worship, faith and obedience, with renewed consecration. Communion with God is to know him better. So communion with the Lord commences with the Bible, together with heartfelt desire to meet with the Lord as we read. Here is the difficulty. It is not enough to read a few verses, though this is worthwhile. Nor is it sufficient to simply read some notes of explanation of the passage, though this is good also. We must hear the Lord speaking to us from his Word. So we must seek prayerfully that the Holy Spirit will illuminate what we read, so that a message enriches our souls. It may be an old understanding enriched. It may be a new insight given, but it must be something heard and felt from the Bible for the present. This means we must dwell on the passage we have read. We must wrestle in our minds with all that we read. We must not give up if we find things difficult to understand. I have found that I have to read even the most well known passage again and again before I hear the message of God by his Spirit. I find it helpful to have paper and pen, and to write down notes of what I read. This concentrates my mind, and it is not long before thoughts from God unfold within me.

As we read we worship and praise and thank the Lord. As we read we believe, and obey, and submit to the message given. When some particular thought and understanding is given, we must dwell upon it and meditate, and impress it firmly upon our mind and heart. If we see something more deeply of the glory of the Lord, we must worship and bow down in heart and mind before this glory. Worship is very much part of this practice of prayer. It may be wordless wonder at the glory of the Lord being revealed to us. It may be words pouring out of our minds in silence. It may be to be bowed down with a sense of our sin and unworthiness. It may be an exaltation of soul that lifts us into the heavenlies in adoration.

We must give time for this, then after Jesus has spoken to us from his Word, and by the Spirit we have felt his presence, and allowed the holy and beautiful atmosphere of his presence to fill our soul, we must give time to pray over, talk to the Lord, concerning all he has revealed to us.