⁴⁵ Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. ⁴⁶ After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.

Mark 6:45-46

Dear God, I wonder what Jesus’s alone prayer time looked like. I’m sure it was completely different than mine. And better. Much, much better. I wonder if Moses and Elijah (and you) visited directly with him during these times. Did he transfigure like he did the one time he took James, John, and Peter along with him? How much time did he spend hearing for you and learning? How much time did he spend being encouraged? How much time did he spend praying for his disciples and the people he knew? I just thought of the time in Luke 22 when Jesus tells Peter he prayed for him: ³¹ “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. ³² But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Was that during one of these times. Has Satan asked to sift me like wheat. What would that sifting look like? Is it happening now? So many questions.

I was with a group of men last night from the Christian Men’s Life Skills program I’m involved with, and we talked about everything around us that we can’t see. As the Nicene Creed puts it, you are the creator of everything visible and invisible. What all is invisible around me right now that I am just ignorant to? It’s all a reminder that I’m so small.

I’m going to a men’s retreat this weekend. Maybe what I need to explore is the idea of getting alone in prayer and how I need to pray. For whom I need to pray. I know I should be much better about praying for others.

Father, teach me to pray. That’s my request this morning. It’s actually a scary thing to ask. I don’t know what I’m unleashing on myself if I make this request, but my life isn’t about me and my comfort. It’s about you. Please teach me to pray.

I ask this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen