
Luke 22:44
Charles Spurgeon wrote, “A neglected closet is the beginning of all spiritual decline.” Our Scripture from the book of Luke describes the manner in which the Lord Jesus was praying. Who better to learn about the Christian life than the master teacher Jesus? And praying is at the top of the list.
Our verse finds the Lord Jesus at Gethsemane, it was a time of prayer before a season of suffering; it was the prelude to the cross and we cannot conceive the weight that Christ had upon His aching soul at that very moment. Our verse says, “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly.” Jesus is our example. No matter how great the storm, how long the night or how painful the situation might be we must not, we cannot neglect or turn away from prayer. Within the prayer closet one finds comfort, confidence and closeness with the Heavenly Father. Prayer is hope on its knees and power on display. The Bible teaches us, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James4:16b) Let’s pray earnestly, fervently and continually and watch as the Lord works mightily!