“Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened…..”, Luke 3:21

Jesus prayed as he was beginning his work on the earth. Does it make sense to conclude that it is a good idea to talk with the Lord as you or I begin any worthy effort?

“It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God”, Luke 6:12

Three things here; first, it seems that some places are more conducive to prayer than others, secondly, we need to set aside sufficient time for prayer, andlastly, we need to pray before making significant decisions. The next verse tells us that when morning came, Jesus chose twelve of his disciples to be his apostles.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven…..” Matthew 5:43-45

Jesus makes the point here that it is easy to pray for those with whom you agree. To be like God, our Lord teaches us to love and pray even for those who hate us.

“At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants”, Matthew 11:25

Jesus seemed to pray “off the cuff” if you will, whenever it struck him to give thanks to the Father for some good thing. How many opportunities in a day will you and I have to give thanks if we but keep our eyes open?

“And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will”, Matthew 26:39

Even if I believe I know what I want, if I aspire to be like Jesus, having God’s will done in my life will mean more than anything else I could possibly imagine to ask for.