What Does Spiritual Preparation Look Like?

What Does Spiritual Preparation Look Like?

Matthew 14:22-23

Preparation is the process of making something ready to be used or for use. For instance, during my time in the service, we would need to prepare our gear before we went to the field for training. Not only did I have to prepare my personal gear, uniforms, personal hygiene equipment, sleeping bag, tent, etc. I also had to prepare my field medical gear to ensure I had enough medical supplies to cover for any injuries or illnesses that might occur.

I could not, nor would I dare not go to the field training without a complete medical bag. The men’s lives may depend upon my actions and what I had or did not have to provide emergency field medical care.

Even in our civilian jobs we have to prepare ourselves for whatever work that we do, electrical, carpentry, masonry, food service, legal, fire service, police, etc. The list of job titles is endless. No matter what our walk in this life is, we all must prepare ourselves for something.

No one goes and gets married without preparation. No one buys a house, an automobile, home appliances, or any number of things without some type of preparation.

Prayer is key in preparation.

A Scripture I look at is Matthew 14:23. I call it the ‘Three A’s’. Looking for solitude was a significant need for Jesus. You can also see it in Mark 6:46-56 and John 6:15-21. He made room in his bustling timetable to be separated from everyone else and be with God the Father. Investing energy with God in petition and prayer supports an imperative relationship and prepares us to address life's difficulties and battles. We need to foster the control of investing energy alone with God. It will assist us with developing our spiritual growth and become increasingly more like Christ.

You see, Jesus had just completed an astonishing miracle (Matthew 14:13-22) and was ready for some alone time. All the more explicitly, Jesus needed time alone with His Father in petition. Matthew does not mention to us what Jesus prayed about, yet the way that Jesus knew about His requirement for supplication, even as the Son of God, ought to persuade the individuals who follow Him to search out an ideal opportunity to pray, just as he did.

Jesus was still alone “when evening came.” The time frame known as “evening” in this period started in late evening and kept going through nightfall. Evening had effectively begun when the disciples initially raised the issue of nourishment for the people (Matthew 14:15), so Matthew most likely means this was approaching nightfall. It was late in the evening as Jesus prayed alone on the mountain. At this point, the disciples were busy paddling on a harsh wind-swept sea as they worked their direction across the Sea of Galilee.

We must find time to put everything away. We must set ourselves apart from everything and get alone with the Lord.

Ever have a worry or a concern about something, or someone, or some specific issue? We all have at some point in our lives, and undoubtedly, we will again. What is one of the first things a mature spiritual person responds to you with when you bring that concern to him or her? for certain, that person may say, “Did you pray about it?”

We have been given a task, whether it be a message/sermon, a 30-minute class, 10-minute devotional. It could be for a group with as few as five or as many as in the hundreds or more. When we are in right standing with God, our first step in the “preparation time” is to pray. “Lord, here am I, send me. Make me a willing vessel. Use me Lord. What is it these people need to hear from You?”

Spending time alone with God is necessary.

Spending time alone with God is our time to reflect on ourselves and our actions. Spending time alone with God is the best way to know God more closely. We cannot neglect our alone time with God, for if we neglect spending time with God, we become cold and indifferent. Our spiritual walk becomes less holy. The light of Christ is hidden and will not shine.

How many of us while dating our spouses, or future spouses, had that longing in our hearts to be with our loved ones? While at work or at school and our mind would drift as thoughts of that person moved within our minds. We could not wait to get home and see him/her, or to talk on the phone so we could hear our loved one’s voice. We spend time with our loved one, not necessarily talking about anything important. We just want to know more about him/her. Talking with that person brings peace and comfort being and our hearts would yearn to be with that person. If we do not talk with our loved one, the devil can plant negative thoughts in their minds.