LUKE 11:1, 5-9 Once when JESUS had been praying, one of HIS disciples came to HIM as HE finished and said, “LORD, teach us a prayer to recite just as John taught one of his disciples.” …Then, teaching them more about prayer, HE used this illustration: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You would shout up to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit and I’ve nothing to give him to eat.’ He would call down from his bedroom, ‘Please don’t ask me to get up. The door is locked for the night and we are all in bed. I just can’t help you this time.’ But I’ll tell you this---though he won’t do it as a friend, if you keep knocking long enough he will get up and give you everything you want—just because of your persistence. And so it is with prayer----- [Living Bible translation]
Summary:
JESUS led a prayerful life. One reference mentions at least 27 scriptures commenting about JESUS praying: Here are a few:
Luke 5:16 But JESUS often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Luke 6:12 One day soon afterward HE went out into the mountain to pray and prayed all night.
Mark 1:35 The next morning he was up long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray.
Matthew 26:36 Then JESUS brought them to a garden grove, Gethsemane, and told them to sit down and wait while HE went on ahead to pray.
Luke 11 contains another verse about JESUS praying and also contains JESUS’ teachings about prayer, including the importance of committed, persistent, continuous prayer. JESUS taught this lesson about prayer by giving a parable---an illustration---a story. It was an important lesson that HE wanted HIS disciples to understand.
In fact, JESUS wanted to make it plain for everyone. WHY? Because as one contemporary writer puts it, “The last thing I think of when I’m stressed out with work deadlines and complicated homework projects with the kids is to get on my knees…” See, “Spirituality and Prayer Relieves Stress,” by Therese Borchard. See https://www.huffpost.com/entry/spirituality-and-prayer-r_b_497222
Others might even add, “And, after I have already prayed, the last thing I think of when I’m stressed out with work, bills, family issues, health issues, Covid-19 and “everything else” is to get right back on my knees and pray again!” But that is exactly what JESUS taught! Pray, Pray, Pray, and Pray again! Keep asking. Keep knocking. Be persistent. Expect an answer! Stay connected to GOD.
Although prayer and persistent prayer (praying again and again and again and again…) may not be the first thing one thinks of in times of stress, according to JESUS, it should be!
EXERCISE, THE LAST THING YOU MAY THINK OF
Often when people are fatigued, feeling sapped, and low in energy, the last thing they may think of or want to do is exercise. But research shows, that exercise may be exactly the thing that would help.
In “The Cure for Exhaustion? More Exercise,” Tara Parker-Pope reports on a study conducted at the University of Georgia to determine if exercise could be used to treat subjects who complained of constant fatigue. Although they noted that fatigue is a common health symptom and can be a sign of a variety of medical problems, they also noted that about one in four people suffers from general fatigue not associated with a serious medical condition.
The research subjects were divided into three groups of fatigued volunteers. One group was prescribed 20 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise three times a week for six weeks. The second group engaged in low-intensity aerobic exercise for the same time period, while a third control group did not exercise. The low-intensity group was the equivalent of “a leisurely easy walk.” The moderate-intensity group was the equivalent to “a fast-paced walk uphill.”
They found that both exercise groups had a 20% increased level of energy than the group that did not exercise. The low-intensity group had a 69% drop in fatigue compared to the 49% drop in the group that did the more intense exercise. So, more intensity did not mean less fatigue. See, “The Cure for Exhaustion? More Exercise,” Tara Parker-Pope. See https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/29/the-cure-for-exhaustion-more-exercise/#:~:text=When%20a%20person%20is%20sapped,a%20variety%20of%20medical%20problems.
If you suffer from fatigue you should always consult your personal physician and inquire whether an exercise program might be beneficial.
KEEP STRETCHING; KEEP STRETCHING; KEEP STRETCHING
- Shoulder Rolls – (Sitting in a chair or on a mat or stand if you have good balance) Roll your shoulders. Try doing 5 big shoulder rolls forward, then 5 shoulder rolls backward, then raise your shoulders straight up to your ears and then from your ears straight down. Be gentle, don’t jerk the shoulders, and remember to breathe. Then try to make a box with your shoulder movement. Raise your shoulders up, forward, down and back. Do that 2-3 times. Then reverse the box shoulder movement. Raise your shoulders up, backward, down, and forward. Again, be gentle and remember to breathe.
- Head Tilt and Circles - (Sitting in a chair or on a mat or stand if you have good balance) Gentle lower your head down toward your upper chest then backward 3 or 4 times. Next, tilt your head from side to side, try not to raise your shoulders. Now make the shape of a V with your head, with the point of the V being the area of your upper chest. Then, slowly and gentle circle the head—one way and then the other way. Again, be gentle, and do not jerk your head.
- Shoulder Stretch - Lie on your left side with your knees bent and together comfortably on a mat. Extend your hands straight in front of you, on your left side, palms together. Gazing at your right thumb, slowly inhale (and without moving your knees or left arm which is still touching the floor) slowly raise your right arm up in the air until your finger point straight up in the air. Continue to gaze at your thumb. As you exhale, turn your head (but not your knees) and watch your right thumb and right arm slowly open and fall toward the floor on the opposite side (note- you may not be able to touch the floor, depending on your shoulder flexibility.) Don’t force it. Again, be gentle with your body. Then, inhale in and watching your right thumb, bring your arm and fingers straight up, back to center as you continue to gaze at your thumb. Then exhale and return your arm to the start position on the left side, keeping your gaze on your thumb as you turn your head and arm back to your start position. Repeat 2-3 times. Then reverse your position. Lie on your right side, with your knees together, and repeat the same thumb and arm movement on the opposite side.
As always, if you have a medical condition, do not feel fit, do not feel well enough to perform these exercises, have balance problems, or do not exercise regularly, do not attempt any of the above exercises. Consult your personal physician about a proper exercise program tailored for you. Always consult your personal physician if you have medical issues, questions, or are about to start an exercise program. Also, drink water and stay hydrated.
BE A PERSISTENT PRAYER!
Pray and persist! Remember, GOD can do the impossible, the unimaginable, the incredible, sometimes at times when we least expect. So, keep on praying. And, when fatigue sets in, exercise your prayer muscles and just pray some more. Don’t underestimate the power of persistent prayer!
Remember, sometimes GOD uses people we least expect. Perhaps that person is “You!” So, keep praying, especially for others. Others may depend on your persistent prayers.
So, today, pray and exercise. Then, pray some more. Like JESUS, stay connected to GOD in prayer!
Pray, keep praying, and BE BLESSED!
