TBC Notes

Waylaid by Distractions?

Jesus had a solution to dealing with distractions that few of us probably follow. He separated from crowds and sought fellowship with God the Father. Jesus wanted to be alone with the Father as often as possible.

That begs the question: what was the content of their communication? The only thing we're told is that it had to do with prayer. Prayer! 

There's little doubt that most of us were saved through prayer. There's no doubt that a believer's fruitful life can only be made possible through sustained prayer. That's why we're told to "pray without ceasing."

Consider these verses concerning Christ:

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone [with the Father]. (Matthew:14:23And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
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And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. (Luke:6:12And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
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And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. (Mark:1:35And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
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And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. (Mark:6:46And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
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And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. (Luke:5:16And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
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Few of us have the opportunity to depart to a mountain to be alone with God. But it doesn't have to be a mountain or wilderness—a "solitary place" works. The Amplified Bible says "go into your most private room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you" (Matthew:6:6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
See All...). The point of this is to avoid worldly distractions and get alone with the Lord as often as you can.

T. A. McMahon

Executive Director