“And it came to pass in those days, that He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” — Luke 6:12

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! Such was His love to His Father, that He loved much to be in communion with Him: such His love for His people, that He desired to be much in intercession for them. The fact of this eminent prayerfulness of Jesus is a lesson for us — He hath given us an example that we may follow in His steps. The time He chose was admirable, it was the hour of silence, when the crowd would not disturb Him; the time of inaction, when all but Himself had ceased to labour; and the season when slumber made men forget their woes, and cease their applications to Him for relief. While others found…

rest in sleep, He refreshed Himself with prayer. The place
was also well selected. He was alone where none would intrude, where
none could observe: thus was He free from Pharisaic ostentation and vulgar
interruption. Those dark and silent hills were a fit oratory for the Son of
God. Heaven and earth in midnight stillness heard the groans and sighs of
the mysterious Being in whom both worlds were blended. The continuance
of His pleadings is remarkable; the long watches were not too long; the
cold wind did not chill His devotions; the grim darkness did not darken His
faith, or loneliness check His importunity. We cannot watch with Him one
hour, but He watched for us whole nights. The occasion for this prayer is
notable; it was after His enemies had been enraged — prayer was His
refuge and solace; it was before He sent forth the twelve apostles —
prayer was the gate of His enterprise, the herald of His new work. Should
we not learn from Jesus to resort to special prayer when we are under
peculiar trial, or contemplate fresh endeavours for the Master’s glory?
Lord Jesus, teach us to pray.

To make sure you never miss an episode, please subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts.

Producer: Todd Adkins
Voice Artist: Ian Cullen