And Pray!

In reading Luke 5, I come across this verse 

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" 

and it made me stop.

I have felt the rush and desire to be alone before. When kids are pulling at ya. When you feel the passion to scream if you hear the word MOM one more time. The physical desire. The physical pull. The exhaustion. I can't help but read the verse again and really look at Jesus' desire here. Was it physical? Was it annoyance? Was it "self care"? I truly do not think it was. It was spiritual. He withdrew to reconnect to his Father. Did he ever really UN connect from his Father? Well, no. But Jesus knew the importance of prayer and communicating with His Father. He was living a life fully submitted to the Father. A oneness. And yet he took the time to get away and be alone with His Father. Even with his "to-do list" UNfinished!! (verse 15)

This is our example.

My physical screams of frustration and annoyance and irritation are flowing from my spiritual presence (or lack of presence) of sitting alone with my Father. Whatever my excuse is (overslept, busyness, distraction, my unfinished to-do list), it's still causing my lack of ability to withdraw and spend time with my Father. Which in turn is causing my physical frustrations and annoyance. (Ugh! That sounds hopeless!)

We have to be intentional and consistent. I have to "often withdraw to lonely place and pray". Lets not miss that last word! PRAY! Am I just withdrawing to lonely places? Am I just curling up in the bottom of my closet to cry? Am I just going shopping alone once my husband gets home so I can have some down time from the kids? Am I taking a nap just to shut it all out? Am I drinking a glass of wine to relax all my frustrations away? Am I zoning out in Netflix marathon mode? I withdrew to a lonely place but I forgot the one element that actually helps!! PRAYER!!

Prayer is our communication with our Father. Prayer draws us into his presence. Prayer is where we hear His voice. Prayer is where our souls are mended. Prayer is where our soul will be renewed with His strength. Prayer is where we can verbally process with our Father. Prayer will be bring wisdom and understanding and direction. PRAYER!

When the sick knew Jesus was in their town, they came to Him. They drew near. They called out His name. Showing us to do the same. When we are emotionally sick-and-tired of all life's chaos, draw near and call out His name in prayer. Jesus is always in our town! He has come to heal us! Pray! Pray often! Often withdraw to lonely places and pray!
#selfcare #Jesus #Prayer #JesusCare #Pray