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If you knew you only had three years to live how would you change the world? Ridiculous you say. No it isn't! Please consider the fact that the Scripture records that Jesus was actually in public ministry for only three years. Actually, his preparation phase was much longer than his actual ministry. Ah, but that's another story. For now just consider those three years of His life. What made Him so effective? The truth is all of us as parents want to be effective with our children. If Jesus taught his followers for three years we need to study his methodology for perhaps just maybe we too might learn something.

Think about it .In practical terms, what did Jesus do? What was He saying to the people that caused them to follow Him all day to the point where they did not even care about eating. Ever been in the middle of what you think is the most enthralling lesson and your kids ask you what's for lunch? I've often wondered about this myself. Jesus held the attention of his followers to the point of where they were not interested in personal comfort. Of course, you may say Jesus was God! Yes, He was God and by His Spirit He droves of people were drawn to Him. However, the most astounding characteristic was that Jesus was a man of prayer! We see him praying before decisions and regularly fellowshipping alone with the Father. Jesus was a man of prayer! His instructions came straight from the throne room.

In most churches if any of us have known the Lord for a sufficient amount of time we will eventually begin to hear the same sermons over and over again. Now put down your stones and listen to me for a moment. I am merely saying we have been receiving truth for a long time. Could it be we are missing something? Technology has afforded Christian internet access, radio stations, satellites and television stations. We are consuming a lot of words, but are we acting on the spirit of the Word we have received? We are full of knowledge; overweight, lazy, and selfish. We need to go on a spiritual diet. Perhaps it's time we admit we need some heavenly instruction. We need to pattern before our children a dependence on the LORD not just in word but in deed too!

Now before you pick your stones up again, let me point out that I was once there too. So I understand wanting to be comfortable. It can be real convenient going to church, talking to your friends. Your friends- you know what I'm talking about-they look like you, probably are in your income bracket, and share the same doctrinal beliefs. But we have to step out of the boat if we want to do what the Lord has called us to do. It is not easy, but nothing worth having ever is. We need to hunger and thirst for the Lord. Many of us are simply not hungry enough to change, thus we have not developed a genuine prayer life. It has become easy to lean on our guaranteed curriculum, virtual bible studies and AWANA meetings.

In our homes do we really do not want more of God? Oh we say that we do, but we really just want more of God on our own terms. He cannot interrupt our flow or schedule. He cannot ask us to pray for someone whose doctrines are different than ours. He dare not ask us to change our attitudes or the way we talk to our children. So with our mouths we say we want more of God, but our hearts are far from Him. God wants our hearts and our mouths to agree! Jesus wants us to pray like Him. Don't you want to pray like Jesus?

Agreeing with God is the secret to powerful prayer. I know I am over-simplifying this a bit, but stay with me. Read the New Testament. Most of Jesus' teaching involved getting people to be in agreement with God. So when Jesus' disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray the first thing He did was to point them to the Father. We call it the Lord's prayer. It is actually reorients our hearts to the Father's heart. Jesus first instructs us to agree with our Father in Heaven. In order to agree with God, we need to change. Don't you want to pray like Jesus?

Jesus' prayer life was extraordinary. He was in constant communication with His Father. He could speak to His Father no matter where He was. He said: I always do what I see my Father do. He did not need three praise-and-worship songs to get Him into the mood to pray. He lived in the presence of His Father. His heart was always one with His Fathers'. He spoke to the Father and the Father spoke back to Him. Things happened. Prayer was a lifestyle for Jesus. Don't you want to pray like Jesus?

Jesus was very intimate with His Father in prayer. He said how He honestly felt. Some of us have been so schooled in the positive confession doctrine that we are not real with God. Jesus was transparent with His Father. He said "if it were possible, then take this cup from Me: nevertheless not my will but yours be done". He allowed the prayer process to guide his thoughts and change His feelings. Prayer shaped Jesus'. Don't you want to pray like Jesus?

At Jesus' hand miracles were performed. In His three years of ministry, He healed the sick, raised the dead, and set captives free. My son says it was really cool when He prayed on the Mountain, and talked with Elijah and Moses. Perhaps cool doesn't adequately describe it, but I think my son, like me was impressed that Jesus got results when He prayed. He prayed to the point where the realm of heaven and earth came together, and time itself ceased to exist. Don't you want to pray like Jesus?

Jesus used prayer as a tool to bring others into the will of God. Jesus discerned His disciples' weaknesses, and prayed for all of them. Do we take our children's weaknesses to the feet of the Father ever mindful that those vices were hybrid in the cocoon of our home. Consider the disciple Peter, who denied the Lord. Jesus points out to Peter that He has prayed for him that his faith would not fail him. Notice He did not condemn Peter with his sin. He prayed for him. Prayer caused Jesus to see Peter's future- God's will for Peter's life. Prayer caused Jesus to look beyond Peter's faults and see his needs. Don't you want to pray like Jesus?

Before His crucifixion Jesus prayed for us. Presently He is right on the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us. Can't you feel His prayers for you now? While the enemy is devising his evil plans, Jesus is praying for us. Jesus' prayers always transform hearts, raise people from the dead, kill religious giants, cross the heavenly time continuum, and most importantly sets the sinner free. Don't you want to pray like Jesus?

Jesus' heart was in prayer, He said my house will be called a house of prayer. May your heart be stirred to be courageous enough to ask the Lord to help you to pray like Jesus. Understand what you are asking. You will never be the same. Your family will never be the same. Your church will never be the same. If more people sincerely prayed like Jesus this world would be transformed. Are you up for the challenge? Don't you want to pray like Jesus? I know that you do!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cheryl R. Carter keeps looking to the stars as God continues to fulfill all the promises in her life. At times, like Sarah, she is tempted to laugh at their fulfillment but she remains assured that as long as Jesus is on the throne no weapon formed against her will prosper. Visit www.Momtime for more articles, her speaking itinerary and organizing tips.