Communication is vital to any relationship: parent and child, husband and wife, employer and employee, coach and athlete. And most important--God and those who love Him.

During His time on earth, Jesus showed us the importance of communication. The Gospels tell us of nearly 20 occasions when He prayed to His heavenly Father. He prayed in different circumstances: at His baptism (Lk. 3:21), during brief rests from ministry (Lk. 6:12), before raising Lazarus (Jn. 11:41). And He prayed for different things: for guidance (Lk. 6:12-13), to express His desire to do His Father's will (Mt. 26:39), to give thanks for food (Jn. 6:11).

Jesus was a prayer warrior. Here was God Himself in the person of the Son--the One in whom all the power of the universe dwelt. Yet He turned to God the Father in prayer. As hard as that may be to understand, its lesson for us is easy to grasp: If Jesus needed to communicate with God to accomplish His mission, how much more do we need to pray!

Think of what you have to face today. If it is your habit to ask, "What would Jesus do?" you can be sure from His example that He would pray first. Let's make that our pattern too.  — Dave Branon