• Home
  • About
    • Telling THE Story
  • Speaking
    • Take Away & Content
    • Reviews and News
    • Audio
    • Video
    • Fun Footage
  • Writing
    • Ginger’s Book
    • Blog
  • Contact

Ginger Ciminello

  • Home
  • About
    • Telling THE Story
  • Speaking
    • Take Away & Content
    • Reviews and News
    • Audio
    • Video
    • Fun Footage
  • Writing
    • Ginger’s Book
    • Blog
  • Contact

Resting in Prayer

April 6, 2011 Posted by Ginger Ciminello Uncategorized

In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there.

The example of Jesus is set out before us. He woke up early, got away by himself, and prayed. I have every intention of starting each of my days of with that exact sentence, but do you know how they usually end up?

In the morning, slightly before dawn, she hit the snooze button and rolled over on her side to try and squeak out nine more minutes of sleep… and then she did it again, and again, and again until it was 7:20am and the first thing out of her mouth was not quite a prayer.

So, why did He do it? If it feels impossible for me to manage, how can I learn from His example? Let’s back up the passage and read what was going on around this verse.

That evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by devils. The whole town came crowding round the door, and he cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another… In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. Simon and his companions set out in search of him, and when they found him they said, “Everybody is looking for you.” He answered, “Let us go elsewhere, to the neighboring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because this is why I came.” John 1:32-38

Prior to the praying Jesus is healing the people. Post-prayer He is thrust once again into active ministry. Business and hurting crowds surround him. But Jesus knew that in order for Him to remain effective, He had to recharge with His Father. In the midst of His ministry, He sacrificed sleep for true rest. I know that I deceive myself when I argue that God would actually want me to sleep more than He would desire to spend intimate time with me. The secret to the ministry of Jesus is hidden in His recognition that it is far better to be deprived of ANYTHING else, rather than be God-deprived.

In prayer we find a connection to the One who holds our worth, our futures, hopes, fears, dreams, and longings. Jesus lived through prayer, learning to speak God’s words, to do God’s will, and to pursue God’s glory. Prayer is a gift, one that we treat casually… at least I do. I am challenged and encouraged by the example of Jesus.

Henri Nouwen writes, “In the middle of sentence loaded with action – healing suffering people, casting out devils, responding to impatient disciples, traveling from town to town and preaching from synagogue to synagogue – we find these quiet words: In the morning, long before dawn, he got up and left the house, and went off to a lonely place and prayed there. In the center of breathless activities we hear a restful breathing.  Surrounded by hours of moving we find a moment of quiet stillness.  In the heart of much involvement there are words of withdrawal.  In the midst of action there is contemplation.  And after much togetherness there is solitude.  The more I read this nearly silent sentence locked in between the loud words of action, the more I have the sense that the secret of Jesus’ ministry is hidden in that lonely place where he went to pray, early in the morning, long before dawn.”

May you find Him in the silence of the day.

Following,
Ginger

WAIT! —————————>

P.S. Don’t forget the giveaway contest! Entries close at 5pm Pacific Time on Friday the 8th!

Tags: Henri Nouwen
Share
0

About Ginger Ciminello

Ginger is a work-from-home mom of two girls, the wife of a good man, as well as a speaker and writer. Her book, Forget the Corsage, was written to mentor the young women she’s met in auditoriums around the country. She has a deep desire to connect with women of all ages and encourage them to laugh, learn from her many mistakes, and connect with the Lord through a rich study of Scripture.

Recent Posts

  • I’ve Got Nothing.
  • Freedom to Rest this Christmas
  • Shine, Poet!
  • All the Things 2015
  • My Anniversary Gift for Year Five: Marriage Counseling

Recent Comments

  • Ginger Ciminello on I’ve Got Nothing.
  • Ginger Ciminello on I’ve Got Nothing.
  • Victoria on I’ve Got Nothing.
  • Annie Parsons on I’ve Got Nothing.
  • Shanna on Shine, Poet!

Archives

  • May 2019
  • December 2017
  • November 2016
  • January 2016
  • October 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • July 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011

Categories

  • Advent
  • Forget The Corsage
  • Friday Finds
  • Hindsight
  • Identity
  • Lent
  • Life Lessons
  • Living His Story
  • Marriage
  • Missions
  • Purpose
  • Questions
  • Random
  • Recommendations
  • Relationships
  • Seasons
  • Speaking
  • Spiritual Growth
  • Thursday Tips
  • Uncategorized
  • Whatever Girls
  • With Joy Retreats
  • Writing

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Contact Us

We're currently offline. Send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Send Message
Prev Next