Prayer and Decisions – The Example of Jesus

"And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;” – Luke 6:12-13
 
Jesus had been busy preaching and building up His public ministry work for lost humanity. Although He was indeed the Son of God, he was also the Son of Man. He keenly sensed His need for reliance upon the Heavenly Father and for the wisdom that only the Great God of Heaven could reveal. As Christ entered human flesh he also became subject to the dependance of human beings upon the power, strength, and wisdom of God the Father. Jesus knew that they only way to tap into this power was through prayer! Sincere, earnest, heartfelt, humble, passionate, persevering prayer. Christ often spent whole nights in prayer as He needed strength and wisdom for the activities of the next day.

When it came time for choosing His twelve disciples who were to become the apostles or messengers of the gospel to the whole world, Christ felt the need for much prayer! He chose these 12 men from among those who had begun to take an interest in His work, and who had a heart to follow Him, and even Judas.

Christ prayed for wisdom all night long. And then, knowing that He had received from the Father what was needed, he begun the work of choosing His 12 disciples from among the others. He chose the men who were later going to spearhead the carrying of the gospel to the entire world and begin His church upon the earth. What an important task to be done, and what a terribly important job of selecting these men.

Should we not follow the example of Christ? Oh, let us pray! Let us pray earnestly for the Lord’s wisdom and guidance for our lives and for His work! Before making those critical decisions of life let us bow before the throne of the Almighty God of Heaven and Earth and pour out our hearts to Him for wisdom! Let us linger upon our knees before the Lord, talking with Him sincerely. Let it not be a surface work merely, or just a short uninterested few lines, but rather a season of heartfelt and sincere prayer. Praying about a job? Praying about a move? Praying about a spouse? Consider well our need for God’s incredible wisdom and let us seek it earnestly!

Benjamin Burkhardt