November 12, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"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 6:12 · KJV

If ever one born of woman might have lived without prayer, it was our spotless, perfect Lord; and yet no one was ever so much in prayer as He! Such was His love to His Father that He delighted to be in communion with Him; such His love for His people that He longed to be much in intercession for them. This eminent prayerfulness of Jesus is a lesson for us — He has given us an example, that we may follow in His steps. The time He chose was admirable: the hour of silence, when the crowd would not disturb Him; the time of inaction, when all but Himself had ceased to labor; the season when slumber made men forget their woes and cease their appeals to Him for relief. While others found rest in sleep, He refreshed Himself with prayer. The place, too, was well chosen. He was alone, where none would intrude and none could observe; so He was free from Pharisaic show and vulgar interruption. Those dark and silent hills were a fit oratory for the Son of God. Heaven and earth, in midnight stillness, heard the groans and sighs of the mysterious Being in whom both worlds were blended. The continuance of His pleading is remarkable: the long watches were not too long; the cold wind did not chill His devotions; the grim darkness did not darken His faith, nor loneliness check His importunity. We cannot watch with Him one hour, but He watched for us whole nights. The occasion for this prayer is notable: it was after His enemies had been enraged — prayer was His refuge and solace; and it was before He sent out the twelve apostles — prayer was the gate of His enterprise, the herald of His new work. Should we not learn from Jesus to resort to special prayer when we are under peculiar trial, or contemplate fresh endeavors for the Master's glory? Lord Jesus, teach us to pray.