The cynical phrase, “vote early and often” has been
attributed to Al Capone, the famous gangster from Chicago. Now I do not support gangs, gangsters, or
illegal voting activities, but I must say this phrase reminds me of how Jesus
prayed both early and often.
“Jesus prayed”
Jesus, the Son of God, prayed to His Heavenly Father on
multiple occasions and in various settings. We see Him asking God to bless food and raise the dead. He prayed all night prior to selecting His
disciples and prayed the night He was betrayed, submitting to the perfect will
of the Father.
“Jesus prayed early”
Consider what characterized Jesus’ prayer life in Mark 1:35,
“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and
departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”
With Jesus as our example, may we reflect on what E.M.
Bounds wrote regarding praying in the first part of the day. "The men who have done the most for God
in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its
opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor
headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and
efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the
day."
“Jesus prayed often”
This was His habit and it should be ours. Jesus was one with the Father and prayed for
His will to be done, for His Kingdom to come and for Him to be glorified. Jesus prayed often and we should too because it
is through prayer that we find and understand His will. It is through prayer we see what would be
otherwise hidden. And it is through prayer
that we commune with the Creator of the Universe as we seek to honor and
glorify Him.
John Wesley said, “Prayer is where the action is." That is why it was the practice and routine
of Jesus. Luke 5:16 records that Jesus “…often
withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” If that was the custom of Jesus, it would do us good to make it our
custom as well.
Christians should register and vote, but more importantly Christians
should pray, both early and often.
PD