What Jesus Did! 'The Importance of Prayer' — Luke 6:12-13

Thursday, March 23, 2023

One day soon [after healing the man with the deformed hand,] Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names:...
— Luke 6:12-13 NLT

Key Thought

Few events were more important in Jesus' ministry than his selection of apostles. How would Jesus select twelve from the mob that followed him? These men would have to be the initial leaders in a movement that would change the world. Could he actually find twelve who could do that? Jesus knew what was in the hearts of people. Would anyone be able to stand up to the challenges that he would have to face as one of Jesus' chosen twelve? Jesus withdrew to the mountains to be alone with God and pray as he faced this momentous decision. He didn't choose twelve and then ask God to bless his choice. No, he spent the night in prayer before he chose the twelve. When faced with decisions, whether they appear important or not, we need to follow the example of our Lord!

Today's Prayer

Holy and loving Father, stir my heart with a deeper yearning for prayer. I need your guidance every day, so please dear Lord, bless me with the discipline of daily fervent prayer. Particularly in those times when I face very hard decisions, have your Holy Spirit stir my spirit with a longing to come into your presence and find my guidance and peace in you. In Jesus' name, and because of Jesus' example, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Spurgeon PM Devo for Nov. 12th
Devo: Morning & Evening
"If ever one of woman born might have lived without prayer, it was our spotless, perfect a Lord, and yet none was ever so much in supplication as he!....."
My Plan to Train and Teach!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, Leadership and choosing leaders are very important in any group, but especially among My followers. Please notice two things of great...."
How Great the Father's Love!
Article by Sarah Stirman
Does any of the Father's love splash over and touch the people in your family? Overhearing a questioning about loving children enough gets Sarah thinking about the need for meaningful touch, focused listening, and hanging around together.

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 6:12-13 NLT — Here are their names:...

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, March 23, 2023

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Psalms 25:18
"It is well for us when prayers about our sorrows are linked with pleas concerning our sins-when, being under God's hand, we are not wholly taken up..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'False Gods' (1 Co. 8:7-13)
"Dear Father, the one real and only God, Many do not understand that all reality is rooted in you, so they chase the "gods" of this world, the "idols"..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Excuses Are Often Lies' (Ex. 4:10)
"But Moses said to the Lord, "Please, Lord, I have never been a skilled speaker. Even now, after talking to you, I cannot speak well. I speak slowly..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
1 Peter 2:24
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!