“And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve.”
The Few
Notice the specific sequence named here: all night in prayer, and then, when it was day, choosing the twelve. This deliberate, significant choice was preceded by genuine, sustained prayer, not casual decision but decision soaked in extended, actual seeking of God’s own direction first.
This is worth examining against however much your own choices about whom to invest in have been made quickly, based on convenience or immediate availability, rather than this passage’s own model, extended, genuine prayer preceding significant, deliberate choice.
This is worth holding as needed correction against treating discipleship relationships as merely practical arrangements, formed based on whoever happens to be nearby or willing, rather than genuinely, prayerfully discerned choices, the way Jesus himself modeled before choosing even these twelve, ordinary men.
Whoever you are currently praying about investing in, or considering investing in, bring this choice to genuine, extended prayer today, following Jesus’s own pattern, not rushing toward quick, convenient decision, but seeking real direction first, the way this whole night of prayer actually preceded his own significant choice.
Pour Into the Few
- Bring any current discipleship decision to genuine, extended prayer today, not quick convenience.
- Consider whether your existing investments were prayerfully discerned or merely practically convenient.
- Set aside real time today specifically to seek God’s direction about whom to invest in.
Prayer
Lord, let me bring significant choices about discipling others to genuine, extended prayer, following your own pattern, not rushing toward quick, convenient decision. Amen.
Carry this today
Significant discipleship choices deserve genuine, extended prayer, not quick convenience.