Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Luke 3:21-22 ESV
You know how sometimes you read a passage of Scripture for years, then suddenly you notice something you never paid attention to before? Well, this passage was like that for me. I never really thought about the fact that after Jesus was baptized, Luke says He was praying. Then the heavens opened. Then the Spirit descended. Then the Father spoke aloud. The other three Gospels all describe the event, but Luke is the only one who mentions this little detail: Jesus was praying.
The present participle is used here, meaning that this happened while Jesus was praying, not necessarily in answer to His prayer. I have no idea what He was praying about. The important thing to know is that the Incarnate God, as He stepped into His earthly ministry and was anointed with power, thought it a good idea to pray.
Here’s my question. If God were looking for a moment in our service to open the windows of Heaven, to pour out the Spirit in power, and to speak a word that will change the world, would He find anybody praying? I am a great fan of good coffee and good fellowship. Let’s not forego those blessings. However, if we want God in our midst to do powerful things, let’s purpose to come praying. Pray for your needs, pray for my needs, pray for the needs of others in the church. Most of all pray for God to pour out His Spirit, to manifest Himself in our midst, and to anoint the preacher with a live word from Heaven. If Jesus thought it a good idea to pray, I’m pretty sure we can profit by doing the same. I want God to be well pleased with us today!
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