One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles… ~ Luke 6:12-13 (NLT)
The weight of the world rested on Jesus’ decision. From a group of followers, He would choose twelve men to carry the message of salvation to all nations. This was no small task – eternity hung in the balance. Yet before making this monumental decision, Jesus didn’t rush or rely on His own wisdom. Instead, He climbed a mountain, sought solitude, and spent the entire night in prayer, communing with His Father.
What a powerful example for us! Jesus, the Son of God, fully divine yet fully human, modeled the necessity of prayerful dependence on God. If the Savior needed to linger in prayer before a critical decision, how much more do we? Too often, we rush through life, making choices – big and small – without pausing to seek God’s guidance. We may offer a quick prayer, but do we truly take the time to listen, to share, to be still in His presence?
The Text tells us Jesus prayed all night. This wasn’t a moment to be hurried along. Jesus knew that He needed a deliberate, extended conversation with His Father. He sought clarity, wisdom, and alignment with the Father’s will. The mountain setting reminds us to find our own quiet place, free from distractions, where we can connect deeply with God.
As a colleague of C.S. Lewis wisely noted, “Hurry is the death of prayer.” Rushed prayers often yield frustrating results, not because God is slow to answer, but because we’re too quick to move on.
Consider the decisions you face today – relationships, career moves, or even daily priorities. Have you prayed about it? Not just a fleeting request, but a heartfelt, unhurried conversation with God to reveal His will to you in the matter?
Jesus’ night of prayer led to the choosing of His twelve apostles, imperfect men who, through God’s power, changed the world. Imagine what God could do through you – yes you! – if you surrendered your choices to Him in prayer!
Just For Today:
Set aside 10-15 minutes today in a quiet place to pray about a specific decision or concern you have. Ask God for patience and clarity, and commit to listening for His guidance.
Former Blackout Artist 