How long do we hang on to people that affect little change in our lives? Our grand daughter’s car was out of commission and I had the privilege of driving her to World Vision, where she volunteers to gain experience because her college degree did not secure her a job. We talked about friendship and agreed that the kind we need were people that were constructive in their criticism. She, at twenty-two, has already had a taste of friends that I have had at eighty-four. There are those that like us and see nothing wrong and then there are those that judge us without even knowing us. Here we are, looking for friends that can make our lives change for the better.

Jesus went with his disciples to the Mount of Olives and upon their arrival he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” After He himself had withdrawn three times to pray, He found his disciples asleep and exhausted from worrying. He asked them and said, “Why are you sleeping?” “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (Lk. 22:39-46). I too pray to keep myself out of traps. Like Peter, I too am a bit hasty.

World War II began September 1, 1939. My father was in the Polish army reserve and had to report back to his unit without notice. He was put in charge of two horses pulling an old rusty canon and lined it up against German Tiger tanks. It took the Germans less than a minute to wipe out his contingent. He and another man were the only survivors. It took them several days to crawl back to their headquarters. And without anyone supporting their report, they were to be shot for desertion. An officer from another unit had lost his men and was looking for survivors. My father quickly said that he belonged to that officer’s unit and the kind officer replied, “If he says, he does then he does. I need men.” Father’s life was spared because he was able to say that he belonged. I am facing the same thing regarding my relationship with others and with Christ.

The two most difficult and important choices for me were to become a servant of Christ and find a mate for life. I spent much time alone in prayer and more than eight years for someone who was willing to help me make choices. I owe these two choices to Some One far more than myself. I am certain that it was the Good Lord who chose for me while I prayed. Jesus promised to pray for us (Jn. 14:15-26). Jesus also withdrew into the hills to pray before he chose his twelve disciples and Judas was one of them (Lk. 6:12-16).

In the next few weeks, I shall write about some difficult and pleasant choices I had to make and how prayer has helped me to accept my own choices. I made and still make those decisions and I have to live with them. My first friend was a six-year old girl and I was seven and we watched cows together. I have learned some lessons since then, how to go about making friends.

Jesus said, “No one comes to the father except through me” (Jn. 14:6). “And I will do what ever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (Jn. 14:13-14). How do I connect with Jesus as my partner that takes my requests to God? I have to be in a good relationship with the Son in order to get a hearing with his Father who also is our Father (Jn. 20:17). To gain access to God, we must come through Christ Jesus (Ro. 5:11-2). It therefore becomes the most important choice I have to make.

A furious wind came up on the Lake of Galilee and the waves broke over the boat and swamped it. Jesus was asleep on a cushion in the stern. The disciples panicked and woke him up pleading, ‘Teacher, don’t you care that we perish’”(Mk. 4:37-38)? These were fishermen, familiar with the Lake and the weather; yet, they were unprepared to face the crisis. What was their reason for venturing out on a night like the one they found themselves in? Not a one had any question about safety. Did they take Jesus for granted? Do we take God’s help for granted?

Jesus, before He was betrayed and arrested, felt a strong need to have with him Peter and the Zebedee brothers in prayer. They fell asleep and Jesus ended up praying alone. Three times, Jesus found them sleeping, rather than watching (Mt. 26:37-45). Without prayer, the disciples were unprepared to face the events that took Jesus from them. They had not agreed on Jesus’ intention to suffer and die. Their own agenda was in the way of understanding their Lord’s mission. They disagreed on what they wanted. The earliest need to agree was with Adam and Eve and they agreed doing the wrong thing. It was the man’s helper, who made the wrong choice, and the man did not forsake her and the two faced life together, whether it was good or bad. The Creator had joined them and no one was permitted to interfere in their oneness or union (Gen. 2-3). A lesson Jesus reinforced and both men and women have continued to disregard God’ major command for married couples (Mt. 19:3-9). It is sad and harmful to man’s existence to break agreements.

Jesus called a little child and had him stand among them. Then He said, “Verily I say unto you, if you do not convert and become like little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whosoever humbles himself like this little child, that one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And who receives such a child in my name, receives me” (Mt. 18:2-5). Mark had Jesus take the child in his arms and then speak to his self-elevated disciples (Mk. 9:36). Both, Mark and Luke added “whosoever shall receive me receives him that sent me.” Luke also inserted, “for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great” (Lk. 9:48).

Prayer is personal and private. I have been brought up to pray alone and I prefer a lonely place. Our Lord, Himself, frequently withdrew to be alone and only once did his disciples hear Him utter words (Jn. 17). The only time, He wanted them to watch with Him, they fell asleep (Mk. 14:37). There are four such prayers. The first one, Jesus prayed alone and it set the stage for His life and work. In the second one, He sought insight. In the third one, He needed assurance. And in the fourth prayer, Jesus wrestled with change.