Be and Become A People of Prayer!

In the latter chapters of the Gospel of Luke Jesus begins to teach His followers concerning that day that would come in the future - that day when He would wrap up all things and call all people unto Himself. Interstingly enough, in telling them of that day’s coming He doesn't tell them all the tools and methods they need in order to be ready for it. Nor does He give them a checklist of items they need to purchase in preparation. Rather, He tells them (and us) to become and be a people of prayer!

I love the way He words His call to prayer, "But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36). Can you imagine what might have been going through their minds at the time? He had just told them of a future that was certain to come, but did not give the specifics of that future. He had just told them of many amazing, trying, and difficult days to come. Yet in order to prepare for those times He says be and become a people of prayer!

In today's world, we are inclined to give each other “seven steps to handle” or “five ways to happiness”, etc. etc. Jesus didn’t do that. No, He reminds me and you that the key to our lives as His disciples is to keep watch in prayer! This begs the question, How do we handle uncertain times and to whom do we turn in those moments? Do we lose our focus and try to manage everything through control and manipulation? Do we avoid what is coming and pretend that it does not exist? Do we talk about it with all our friends and try to find a world's way answer to the dilemma?

While we may always and often do some or all of those things, as disciples of Christ our method, our hope, is to take the burden, the unknown, tomorrow to Him in prayer! We are called to “keep watch” and “stay alert” to the fact that, come what may, nothing changes the truth that Christ is King and He is still working in and through our lives and that He is one day going to return. At that time, in that moment, we will stand before Him and the question will be, have we been faithful? You want to know the answer to that? Then evaluate your prayer life and your dependence upon Him!

It is time, Westside, to Be and Become a People of Prayer!

Grace and Peace!

Biz