The Secret to Effective Praying is ..... (5.29.14)

But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray - Luke 5:16

In His public ministry, our Lord felt it necessary to frequently withdraw from the crowds, for time alone with the Father. In so doing, Jesus may have been communicating to us one of the secrets of interpersonal ministry, namely personal time with the Father.

Indeed, the secret to effective praying is effectively praying in secret.

Praying alone, praying in private, is biblical. 

Isaac went into the fields to pray and meditate. 

Jacob remained on the eastern bank of the Brook Jabbok. 

Moses hid in the clefts of the rocks on Mt. Horeb. 

Elijah withdrew to the lonely crest of Mt. Carmel. 

Daniel remained on the banks of Hiddekel. 

On one occasion Paul arranged to go by land while his associates 

traveled by ship, perhaps to use the time alone for prayer (Acts 20:13). 

John, though not of his own will, prayed alone on Patmos.

To follow the example of Jesus, it is important to recognize the necessity of drawing apart with GOD.

Lord, sometimes my days are so full and so rushed, and yet, Jesus was never so busy that He couldn’t stop and reach out to those around Him. If His life of constant ministry was fueled by His prayer life, that is what I want to do also. 

Teach me, Lord, to find opportunities to withdraw from my busy life to sit quietly in Your presence.