God’s Preparation?

Lately I sense a common theme in so much of what I see happening in my life, the lives of people I know or talk to and in God’s Word. Today the Holy Spirit stopped me at Luke 6:12:

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

What came after this was Jesus’ selection of the 12 disciples (vss. 13-16). Jesus prayed through an entire night. I can only imagine what their conversation was like but it most certainly seems to have been the Father’s preparation and guidance for Jesus to pick these 12 men. Especially considering one of them was Judas and Scripture tells us that Jesus knew who His betrayer would be (Matt. 26:21,Mark 14:18, Luke 22:21).

What’s even more interesting to me is how the word pray is used in this verse. We have one word of reference but the Greek translation actually uses two. The first one, proseuchomai, is a general reference to prayer yet the second one, prosecute, seems to have a deeper meaning, to pray earnestly.

I can only imagine what Jesus’ prayers were like, what He wrestled with as His Father gave Him guidance, wisdom and comfort for what lay before Him. I love how God always gives us what we need. Wherever He calls us He prepares us for the journey ahead. And not only that, He goes with us.

Lord, You are so good to us! I love how every detail is important to you and how You so lovingly and tenderly take us through each step. Your love is so overwhelmingly beautiful. Thank you, Jesus. May we pray like You! Amen!