“Prayer Reaches Always Yeshua! (P.R.A.Y)” 

By Ramesh C.Reddy
Pittsburgh Standard

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

SCRIPTURE:
“After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.” (Mark 6:46, NIV)

Observation:
I asked myself what Jesus does?
Jesus left them (crowds)
Jesus went up on a mountainside.
Jesus prayed.

Interpretation:
I asked myself the significance of this action?
Jesus had just taught the crowds many things as he saw them as a sheep without a shepherd. Jesus then feeds them. Later, Jesus decides to personally dismiss the crowd of 5000+. By this time, Jesus must be tired. Instead of going with His disciples on a boat, Jesus went up on a mountainside to pray. Jesus did not let the days work distract him from spending time to pray. That is so amazing to me. Jesus did not go anywhere but up on a mountainside to pray. There Jesus could have had solitude.

Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life. No matter what I am doing or have been doing, I need to always make time for prayer. Jesus is setting an example to me.

While my beloved dad who went to be with the Lord was in the ICU and later a nursing home, I remember praying about my dad's condition everyday. Not only that, I used Scripture verses and made them prayers. I felt drawn so close to the Lord because of the time in His Word and prayer. We prayed for a miracle and miracles don't always come as we want them to but they do come the Lord's way. I remember my mom telling me that dad gave his life to Christ. We were so excited and mourning at the same time because my dad went to be with the Lord few minutes later. It is prayer that has sustained us through the ordeal before and after my dad's death.

But it is not any kind of prayer but prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ who is the 'I AM' as we learned. He is God in the flesh. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. It is remembering that Jesus is Lord and knowing He alone can answer prayer in His timing. Jesus can do that because He is God.

I share this with you friend because most of my prayer life before God has been during time of trials and tribulations. Yet, Jesus sets a different example for me here. Jesus went to a mountain side to pray after shepherding the people, after feeding them, and dismissing them. Prayer was very important to Jesus.

We don't know the content of the prayer but it is safe to assume that Jesus could have spent that time thanking Father God for giving Him wisdom to lead the sheep as a Shepherd, feed the five thousand, patience to dismiss the crowd, and strength to accomplish the mission He came for. I also believe Jesus was interceding on behalf of his disciples. Jesus is setting an example for us to pray. Jesus was praying to Father God to set an example.

Jesus knew that one day He would die for the sins of humanity, the sins of the sheep He was shepherding and the sins of the sheep He never met personally like He did the disciples. Jesus could be praying to prepare for that time too and also for wisdom for the next day.

God in His holiness cannot allow sin into His presence so because of His great love for us, He sent Jesus Christ to take our place of death so we can have Eternal life. Jesus was going to be placed on the altar of the cross and His blood would be shed there flowing down to redeem all humanity, for life is in the Blood. Jesus' blood is so pure and only His blood could give a transfusion for humanity, so they can become clean as the virus of sin is wiped out. Salvation has been made available because of what Jesus did on the cross for you and me when we accept this Salvation.

When donors give blood that is great. They are giving blood to save lives physically but unless the person needing the blood takes it in for a transfusion, it does that person no good. In the same way, Jesus already donated His precious blood as an antidote for the deadly virus known as sin. Now, we need to acknowledge we have this virus known as sin and need a transfusion of change that only Christ can offer to give us new life. This too starts with prayer.

I ask you now dear friend, when do you pray in your life?
Dear friend, Jesus prayed even after a long day's work. Jesus decided to take time to spend in prayer after teaching, feeding, and sending the 5000+ home and his disciples on their way. This showed me the importance of prayer. You can pray always regardless of the time, for prayer is talking to the Lord. You can also bring your loved ones before the Lord.

But, do you also find a solitary place for just you and the Lord to talk to Him about what you have already done, what you are going through and what He wants you to do?

If not, you should friend because it is amazing how the Lord works and the strength He can give even through puzzling situations. Jesus loves you so much and also has prayed for you. That is exciting to know that Jesus has prayed for you. I know He has prayed for me. I am reminded of John 17.

You can talk to the Lord anytime as you depend on Him. Whatever you are going through, take it to the Lord in prayer. Let Him heal you and guide you, for He will. If you need an answer in a career choice, academic choice, relationship choice who to be with, etc, our Lord has the answer! Yes, He does! Jesus prayed to set an example! In prayer to the Lord and waiting for His answer, there is direction. Yes, there is friend for you and me!

I have written a song based on Psalm 55 and pray it will be a blessing to you and you can make this song a prayer to the Lord even though you don't know the tune of it but just have the words.

Prayer is Wonderful, Prayer is Powerful
                    By Ramesh C. Reddy

Prayer is wonderful; prayer is powerful
Prayer is wonderful; prayer is powerful
More of prayer in my life!

In the morning time;
I will pray to you my Jesus
In the noon time;
I will pray to you my Jesus
In the night time;
I will pray to you my Jesus
For you hear and answer!

Prayer is wonderful; prayer is powerful
Prayer is wonderful; prayer is powerful
More of prayer in my life.
Amen!

Make this time of prayer a time where you can say if you mean it, "Lord Jesus, ANYTHING, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, ANY COST, I am ready as you strengthen me and guide me."

May you find prayer refreshing and a weapon to be used against the enemy as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ leads you! Amen!

“Prayer Reaches Always Yeshua!”(P.R.A.Y)/”When do you pray in your life?”
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you even after all the days work, you took time for prayer. This means a lot. Thank you for the example you set. Help me Oh Lord to set a good example. Thanks for knowing what we go through and revealing your love for us. You Oh Lord are a God of wonders! I thank you for praying for us, for you prayed for future believers too. It means a lot. Take all our concerns Oh Lord and direct us please. Help us to always give you first place leaving the results in your Hands. I thank you Jesus. We want hear from you and know you! Thank you we can Lord. We rest in you. I pray for the one right now who is struggling. You Oh Lord know their struggles. When they do not have words to pray, thank you that you can pray for them for the Holy Spirit intercedes. Heal them with your power and presence Oh Lord. Thank you so much Jesus! Thank you for hearing us and answering us! Cultivate our prayer life Oh Lord! Thank you for the Psalms that we can turn into prayers! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

May you be uplifted knowing Deliverer openly understands bringing total Salvation! Amen!

If you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as you pray this prayer, meaning it in your heart and finding your new identity in Christ Jesus.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I am a sinner Lord. I am so sorry for my sins. I confess my sins to you. I confess the wrong things I have done and the times I messed up my own life. I need you Lord right now and in the years to come. I have gone my own way and have not found what only you can give me. You alone have the words of Eternal Life. You alone love me unconditionally for who I am. I thank you Jesus. Thank you for going to the cross for me, for dying for my sins, shedding your precious blood for me, so I can me made whole. I am covered by your blood Lord! I come as I am and  accept you Jesus into my heart. Please come into my heart Jesus. Please make my heart your home. Please live in me Jesus. Thanks Jesus for coming into my heart and living in me. Thank you for forgiving me of all my sins. Thank you for giving me a new identity in you. I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior as I believe in my heart that you died and came back to life to save me now and forever. I give myself to you and ask you to be in control of my life. Thank you Jesus through the  days, we can do things together. Thanks for being my Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and answered me. Thanks Jesus for changing me and helping me through life's storms and winds. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!