Daily Word: Praying Alone

After the feeding of the five thousand, Yeshua sends the disciples to go before Him to Bethsaida. He then, "Went to the mountain to pray." The Jews had many form prayers, such as the Amidah, which we have previously examined and were spoken together in unison. Yeshua also practiced solitary prayer. This would have included the principle of Kavannah. As Maimonides put it, “any prayer without kavannah is no prayer”. Kavannah is a state of mind that is seldom achieved; it’s the split second of the present moment—here it is; now it’s gone. It is the present moment where we face ADONAI. In the Torah, we read of Moses' request to see the face of Elohim, and Elohim explains to Moses that He is not available: “You cannot see my face, no man can see Me and live. Behold there is a place near me and when my presence passes by, I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover my hand over you until I have passed. Then I will remove my hand and you shall see my back, my face shall not be seen” (Exodus 33:20-23). Some definitions of kavannah include attention, awareness and mindfulness, but more precisely it is the ability to concentrate on one single object for extended stretches of time, rather than being scattered. The practice focuses on the mystical side of prayer.

Some religious groups are fearful of what has been called contemplative prayer. Contemplative prayer, also known as “centering prayer,” is a meditative practice where the practitioner focuses on a word or phrase and concentrates on it. While contemplative prayer is done differently in the various groups that practice it, there are similarities. Contemplative prayer involves choosing a sacred word ot text and seeking God's presence. Contemplative prayer usually includes sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settling briefly and silently, introducing the sacred word. Yeshua spent complete nights in prayer. He wasn't reciting formal prayers since He was by Himself. He would have been seeking the presence of His Father. He provides us a perfect example in how to pray.

We will look at this type of prayer over the next few days. Begin to seek Him in your quiet moments. This is not a quick rush prayer that is thrown up in the air. This is knowing before Whom you pray and seeking His presence. Yeshua did this and if we are His disciples, we should also.