Make It Happen!

Luke 5:¹⁶ [NIV] “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

How do you pray in a house with nineteen children? I am sure this is the question on the mind of a lot of mothers. When having two children or even four is a huge challenge on its own. Again, we will draw inspiration from Susannah Wesley. Her children tell us that when they see their mother sitting in the kitchen with her apron thrown over her head, everyone knows that it is prayer time for mother. And anyone that dares disturb her at that time is in trouble. So when mum throws her apron over her head, what happens to the house?

When it comes to children, you need to decide whether you will be the one doing the training, or they will train you. If you do not train your children, children by default like to control, so they will train you. Have you heard parents make statements like, “My daughter says she cannot wake up in time for the early morning service”. Really? Who is parenting who? The truth is it really does not matter how or when you do it; you must find a way to be alone with God. If you want to fine tune and hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, you must find a way. You have to find a way!

At some point in my life, I actually went to a physical mountain somewhere in the western part of Nigeria, just to be alone with God. I did not go there to meet with anyone else. However, I noticed that some people came there to meet with prophets to pray for them! What is wrong with you?! Why won’t you just seek God for yourself?! Find a place where it will be just you and God-Just you and God!

Scripture records that, “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” “Often” points to the fact that it was His habit. If Jesus had to withdraw to lonely places often to pray, then you and I have no excuse. Martin Luther said because of how busy his life is, he must start his day with three hours of prayer; he cannot even afford not to. Jesus found time to be alone with God; you have to find time, no matter how busy you are.

Commit: Commit today to set aside time daily to be all alone with God.

Prayer [song]: I just want to be where You are, dwelling daily in Your Presence. I don’t want to worship from afar, draw me near to where You are… I want to be where You are, dwelling in Your Presence… Amen!