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

  • Luke 5:16
  • Mark 1:35-39
  • James 1:5-8

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

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Everything on the Line'
"Dear Beloved, You live in a world awash in religious ideas, ideologies, and philosophies. But there is one fundamental difference between all of them..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Matthew 7:13-14
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Reaping Righteousness' (Ga. 6:7-8)
"Dear Father, Keep me from sowing seeds from my sinful nature, for I do not want to reap the crop they will produce. May I not invest my time, money,...."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'For Those Who Search' (Ps. 70:4-5)
"May all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "God is great!" But as for me,...."

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!