Prayer was an integral and essential part in the life of Jesus. He always made time for it and was constantly in touch with the Father – almost like He never left home, because of their constant and on-going conversation. He continually felt and always invoked the presence of the Father in His life.
I resonate deeply and feel the truth of what Henri Nouwen has written about prayer:
“Prayer is the bridge between our conscious and unconscious lives. Often there is a large abyss between our thoughts, words, and actions, and the many images that emerge in our daydreams and night dreams. To pray is to connect these two sides of our lives by going to the place where God dwells. Prayer is “soul work” because our souls are those sacred centers where all is one and where God is with us in the most intimate way.”
And because He prayed daily, Christ was able to do what He was sent to do.
Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee.
Mark 1:32-39