We had just finished a delicious Thai dinner. The conversation was fun and meaningful.

Our team doesn’t get to meet in person often because trying to coordinate six women’s schedules can be challenging (obviously – only 5 could join this time but we decided to go for it!)

Before we could even start thinking about what sugary item to end our evening with, my sister (and fellow Whispers & Fringes leader), Binu, spoke up: 

“Hey ladies, when we’re done, maybe we could all get in my van and pray!”

If you know Binu, this isn’t shocking. First of all, she loves her van. We have taken many-a- road-trip in it because of how spacious and comfy it is. Secondly, she loves to pray. In fact, she is our Whispers & Fringes prayer coordinator! Every week, she reaches out to us to schedule a prayer call. 

Again, with six women, it is hard to find a time that works for everyone. But even if no one can join, Binu will pray. Her sons (my nephews) have told me that they have come home from school to find her praying in their room. She still does this even though they are in college and living away from home during the semester.

When I call her to vent, she listens, advises, and says, “Why don’t we pray?”, and then goes straight to the throne room with me on the phone. For big and small things, I will often get a text from her asking for prayer. She believes in the power of prayer, and lives it out.

So, after dinner that night, instead of going somewhere for dessert, we all hopped in Binu’s van to pray. I’ll admit … I had a case of the itis and was ready to go home, but I knew Binu had chosen the “better” thing … time with the Lord.

We took turns sharing our needs then one by one, we prayed over those requests. The atmosphere was ripe with power. The Holy Spirit was truly moving among us in that van.

Praying itself may be easy, but honestly, it is hard for me. When I see how intentional Binu is about it, it inspires me. But even more so, did you know that Jesus was intentional about prayer, too?

I say intentional because of the way it is described …

• “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16)
• After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, (Matthew 14:23)
• Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray. (Mark 1:35)

Jesus, a member of the Trinity, the one & only Son of God who opened blind eyes and was resurrected after being crucified, took time OFTEN to WITHDRAW and PRAY. 

I am thankful for Paul’s charge to “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This invites us to an all-day conversation with God, no matter what we are doing. But the example of Jesus is very telling as well. While I have no doubt that He was in constant dialogue with His Father, the fact that Jesus still slipped away, often in solitude, sets an example for us. If Jesus took time to pray in this manner, shouldn’t I? What have I been missing out on by not slipping away?

I have my usual list of resolutions for 2023, but my true hope for this year is that what was said of Jesus (and Binu) would be said of me …

She often withdrew to pray.

~ Anu