Day 20 | Practice, Practice, Practice

Reflection

When it comes to taking high-pressure penalty kicks, you look for the players with confidence. At least that’s what I’ve heard many football managers say.

Part of their confidence or lack of confidence may be down to a person’s character, but a big factor is also consistent practice. You step up to the penalty having practised many, many times in training. Consistency helps confidence or, at the very least, consistency reduces nervousness!

The first disciples learned consistency from following Jesus’ patterns and copying Him. Luke uses the word often to describe Jesus’ pattern of quiet time and prayer.

When Jesus Himself needs confidence in facing His own journey to the cross, He doesn’t need to invent a new way of bringing His situation to his Father. At Gethsemane, when He tells His disciples to ‘sit here while I go over there and pray’ (Matthew 26:36), He is staying true to His consistent patterns. It’s not a new thing at that point for Him to withdraw to lonely places and pray.

Surely Jesus’ habit of consistent time with the Father helped Him face the future with confidence. How can you apply this to your life this week?

Responding in prayer

Dear Lord, help me to find patterns, places, and postures to turn to You often.

Help me to be consistent in this.

As consistency grows, help my frontline confidence to grow, too.