Growing a Spiritual Garden

Jim Gossweiler - June 6, 2020

Developing our prayer life may be likened to cultivating our personal spiritual gardens. Scripture encourages us to, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication and with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6). Critical to the maintenance of our covenant relationship with the Lord is personal “wilderness prayer.” Although we pray together on Sunday mornings, Scripture also encourages personal prayer in a Christ-like manner.

In Matthew, “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness…” (Matthew 4:1)
In Mark, Jesus chooses to isolate to a wilderness areas near Capernaum three times as His place to pray. (Mark 1: 12, 35, 45).
In Luke, it is specifically mentioned that Jesus “…often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16)
In Luke, the most memorable “wilderness place” where Jesus prayed was Gethsemane, a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives. (Luke 22:39-46)

Of course, we may not have a “wilderness area” handy in which to pray. It’s perfectly okay. Matthew 6:6 advises “…when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6) The important factor is that you be alone and “in your inner room” with the Lord to pray.

One of the biggest concerns we might face is the belief we don’t know how to pray. It’s challenging to develop a personal prayer brimming with flowery language and “thees” and “thous” and poetic rhyme. In Luke 11:1, one of His disciples actually asked Jesus how to pray. In Matthew 6:9, Jesus instructs His disciples in the Lord’s Prayer (This also appears in Luke).

The truth is fancy language isn’t needed. Simply don’t be fearful, adopt a thankful, reverential heart, and express yourself honestly in your own words. During these periods of quiet contemplation, prayer, and communion with the Lord brings about spiritual peace.

Let your “wilderness prayer” be by you, about you, and for you. He is listening!