Luke 6:12-16: a reflection

12In these days, he went out to the mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God. 13When it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles: 14Simon, whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew; 15Matthew; Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus; Simon who was called the Zealot; 16Judas the son of James; and Judas Iscariot, who also became a traitor.

Before Jesus chooses the twelve apostles, a decision that would shape everything to come, Luke tells us how he prepared: In these days, he went out to the mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God. Before this weighty choice, Jesus spent the whole night in prayer. He did not choose hastily, or rely only on his own judgment; he sought God through a night of prayer before making the decision. The important choice was preceded by earnest, extended seeking of God.

Notice what Jesus did before the important decision: he sought God in prayer, through the whole night. This was a weighty choice, the men who would carry on his work; and Jesus prepared for it not by hasty deliberation alone, but by a night of prayer to God. He sought the Father's guidance earnestly, at length, before choosing. The important decision was preceded by seeking God, and not briefly, but through a whole night of prayer. Jesus brought the weighty choice to God before making it.

That pattern, seeking God in prayer before important decisions, is worth following, for we face weighty choices and can make them hastily, relying only on our own judgment. Before a significant decision, we can rush ahead, deliberating in our own wisdom but not seeking God; yet Jesus, before choosing the twelve, spent the whole night in prayer. When you face an important decision, do not make it hastily, relying only on your own judgment; seek God in prayer first, as Jesus sought the Father through the night before choosing the twelve. The weightier the choice, the more it calls for seeking God before it, not less. Bring your important decisions to God in earnest prayer before you make them, as Jesus prayed through the night before choosing his apostles, seeking the Father's guidance rather than trusting your own judgment alone.

Lord Jesus, before you chose the twelve apostles, a decision that would shape everything to come, Luke tells us how you prepared: you went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Before this weighty choice, you spent the whole night in prayer. You did not choose hastily, or rely only on your own judgment; you sought God through a night of prayer before making the decision. Show me what you did before the important decision: you sought God in prayer, through the whole night. This was a weighty choice; and you prepared for it not by hasty deliberation alone, but by a night of prayer. You sought the Father's guidance earnestly, at length, before choosing. You brought the weighty choice to God before making it. Help me follow that pattern, seeking God in prayer before important decisions, for I face weighty choices and can make them hastily, relying only on my own judgment. Before a significant decision, I can rush ahead, deliberating in my own wisdom but not seeking God; yet you, before choosing the twelve, spent the whole night in prayer. When I face an important decision, keep me from making it hastily, relying only on my own judgment; help me seek God in prayer first, as you sought the Father through the night. The weightier the choice, the more it calls for seeking God before it. Help me bring my important decisions to you in earnest prayer before I make them, Lord.