All of a sudden, a voice spoke to my heart. The pages of the textbook on my lap with lots of educational words blurred. The question posed to me was this: What if you studied God’s Word with as much fervor as you are studying for a test for a course that will quickly fade away? I shuddered at the thought, knowing that it was a conviction of the Holy Spirit living in me. I put away the heavy textbooks and notes taken in class and rolled over to pick up God’s Word on the nightstand. I read, confessed, prayed and read some more. That obedience was monumental for what I would do later, who I would be and what direction I would soon take. The night was transforming.

I think of that moment in time, many years ago, as I read what our Savior and Lord did before any ministry task on earth of value….He left the crowds, his helpers and followers to get alone to pray to the Father. Our Father. Who are we to think we don’t need to do this, too?

AFTER praying ALL NIGHT before God, he selects The Twelve. Suddenly a crowd gathers and He preaches a message that the world cannot dismiss, the message of your Blessed When and If…

Luke 6, The Message

The Twelve Apostles
12-16 At about that same time he climbed a mountain to pray. He was there all night in prayer before God. The next day he summoned his disciples; from them he selected twelve he designated as apostles:

Simon, whom he named Peter,
Andrew, his brother,
James,
John,
Philip,
Bartholomew,
Matthew,
Thomas,
James, son of Alphaeus,
Simon, called the Zealot,
Judas, son of James,
Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

You’re Blessed
17-21 Coming down off the mountain with them, he stood on a plain surrounded by disciples, and was soon joined by a huge congregation from all over Judea and Jerusalem, even from the seaside towns of Tyre and Sidon. They had come both to hear him and to be cured of their ailments. Those disturbed by evil spirits were healed. Everyone was trying to touch him—so much energy surging from him, so many people healed! Then he spoke:

You’re blessed when you’ve lost it all.
God’s kingdom is there for the finding.
You’re blessed when you’re ravenously hungry.
Then you’re ready for the Messianic meal.
You’re blessed when the tears flow freely.
Joy comes with the morning.

22-23 “Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—skip like a lamb, if you like!—for even though they don’t like it, I do . . . and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this.

So, put everything else away, no matter how important it seems at the time, and pray. Keep up the relationship we have with the Father through Jesus Christ His Son, and just pray…then listen. Then watch as our lives begin to take on new life, restoration, peace and eternal joy no matter what our current circumstances happen to be. Pray, then listen. Even if it takes all night.

Dear Heavenly Father, You got my attention about prayer and the study of Your Word all those years ago in the quiet of the night. Thank you! My life was never the same after that. And I’m glad, so glad. I praise You and thank You that you want to relate to us. I am in awe of how much you love us. Continue to be with us.
In Jesus Name, Amen