Connect 21- Prayer + Fasting - Holy Spirit, Our HelperSample

Day 6 | Depart to Pray

When thinking about all the issues the world is facing right now, many believers may feel anxious, distressed, and uneasy. Psalm 55:22 says, “Entrust your worries to the Lord, and He will support you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. ”Concentrating on the Lord’s presence is the secret to lasting calm."

Furthermore, people with busy schedules may find it challenging to carve out specific time for prayer, reflection, and communion with God. Employment, school, family, and entertainment can make it difficult to make time for a spiritual connection with God. But Jesus Christ set aside time each day to pray, and so should we.

Just before Mark 6:45–46, Jesus had fed five thousand people as he held one of the largest meetings of His mission. His followers were filled with amazement at the miracle they had witnessed. Everyone raved about the wonders of making so much food out of so little.

Many of us have had moments like this. When you performed well at a big conference, closed a multimillion-dollar deal, aced your exams, gained one million Instagram followers, landed that dream job, or accomplished some other big goal, it’s easy to get excited. But look at what Jesus did right after that big miracle. Rather than rest in the glory of the victory, He told his students to get on a ship and sail away. He instructed the crowds to disperse. Then, He climbed up into the mountains to pray in solitude. He went to a quiet place where He could be alone with the Father.

After doing something major, it’s human nature to want to keep going, whether that’s pressing on to the next item on your to-do list or checking to see whether you’ve gained any new social media followers. However, setbacks are part of stories that ultimately end in success. At this very moment, some people are facing life’s inevitable challenges, like struggling to make ends meet. The only way to deal with life's highs and lows is to stay in communion with the Father through prayer and meditation on His Word.

Establishing regular, uninterrupted time for prayer should be a top priority for all of us, not just during our commute to work or while brushing our teeth at bedtime. God deserves our undivided attention. Neither busyness nor success kept Jesus from spending focused time alone in the presence of His Father.

Reflection: When you consider spending time with God, what other things cry out for your attention? Do you recall all the tasks you need to complete or the work you’ve left undone? When you get to your quiet place for prayer, your mind will often fight, asking, how long will this take? But if you linger in His presence, joy and serenity await you. This is where you will receive power and solutions.

Prayer: Father, I don’t want to let today pass without spending time with You, no matter how busy I am. Every day I try to serve you by myself, but I regret it. Unfortunately, I’ve sometimes let my crucial connection with You slip, and even though I was busy, my work was not very productive. I need Your wisdom and insight, and I long for them with all my heart. Holy Spirit, show me how to set the priorities in my life so I can serve the Lord first. I need Your strength, and I ask You to replenish me with Your joy and power. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.