October 24

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Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: ‘Father, the hour has come…’ John 17:1

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🔊 Prayer is a place, not an activity.  It is in the ‘Holy of Holies’ – a room that was soundproofed by several layers of thick cloth and badger skins.  If we really want to know how to pray, we must find that place.  It cannot be found by geography, since a holy place is made such by finding God there, and we can find God everywhere.  Jesus probably prayed this prayer while walking through Jerusalem on His way to Gethsemane.  We find the place of prayer by an attitude of heart that turns from self and our problem-laden world, to the Presence of God.  It is obviously true that Jesus knew this place, and yet it would be even more true to say that He is the place.  Whoever comes to Jesus will find that Presence that is full of incredible hope.  In this prayer in John 17, Jesus was facing the most difficult hours of His life, and yet He was full of hope.  Why?  Because He had His eyes, not on the impending crisis, but on His Father.  When we get into the Presence of God, we will never find the word ‘impossible’ on the lips of Jesus or the Father.  In the Presence of Jesus everything is possible, and if we can only find that place, we will find that prayer brings rest, as it did to Jesus.  Though Jesus did not mention resurrection in His prayer, He was looking into the future with the certainty that the coming difficult hours were passing, and not eternal.  Get into the Presence of Jesus, and let His serenity and peace give you faith for everything that you could ever face.