The possibilities in praying like Mary and Joseph—and Jesus!
By Dean Collins
If you are looking for a straight and easy path, following Jesus probably isn’t a good idea. But read carefully. Following Jesus is a very good idea, even though following Jesus will include twists and turns along with difficulties and even opposition. One reason we know this is true is because it was true for Jesus from the time of his birth and through his death on the cross.
I am reading through the Gospels simultaneously this year. The last few days I have been in John 1, Matthew 2, and Luke 2. Many verses from these chapters are often a part of our Advent readings. Appropriately we read about Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. We of course remember the shepherds. And as we set up our nativity scenes at home, we often include the wise men.
Difficulties and dreams
We know from historical records that the wise men didn’t come at the birth of Jesus but rather many months later. We might assume things were calm for Jesus those first few months, but once the wise men came to visit, the twists and turns of Jesus’ life quickly took off.
Reading chapter 2 of Matthew’s Gospel, we quickly see the danger and dilemma that Herod created for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Thankfully, God not only gave the wise men a star to follow but he also gave them instruction in a dream: Don’t be tricked into helping Herod. Depart another way and don’t eport back to the king what you’ve seen.
God also appeared to Joseph in a dream, telling him to take his young family and quickly to travel to Egypt because Herod was seeking to kill their young child. Joseph showed no hesitation and departed immediately under the cover of night. And Jesus and his parents stayed in Egypt until an angel appeared again, telling them it was safe to go home to Nazareth.
Psalms and prayers
Many scholars, including Dietrich Bonhoeffer and contemporary scholar N.T. Wright, remind us that Jesus was familiar with Psalms and would have used the psalms as a prayer book as the Jewish people did before and after his birth. Surely this was true for Mary and Joseph, too.
This leads me to wonder about Mary and Joseph’s prayer life during this season.
We know our prayer life intensifies when we’re facing stressful times and danger. In my long and stressful season as a Christian university president, I can assure you I have prayed longer and with greater intensity than at any other time in my life. When we understand the importance of God’s work in our lives, we often face many obstacles, hardships, and threats. The enemy of God always seeks to disrupt what God is doing.
I am confident Mary and Joseph prayed often. It seems certain that Jesus would have overheard these prayers as a toddler and begun to pray them as well during his development as a child.
We can’t be sure, but as I read Psalm 138:7-8, I wonder if Mary and Joseph might have prayed this psalm regularly. I can imagine them praying these verses over Jesus as he slept each evening:
”Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.“
Matthew clearly indicates that God did stretch out his hand against the wrath of the enemy. He kept Jesus and his family safe and far from the danger of Herod. And we know that God did fulfill his purpose for Jesus. Because of the steadfast love of God, we too can now endure through the power of the risen Christ living in us.
And the testimony of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus assures us that God will never forsake the work of his hands. As we daily surrender our lives to God in prayer and in service, he will stretch out his hands against the enemy. He will lift us up by his mighty right hand and accomplish every purpose he has for us!
Aligned with Jesus
I have chosen Psalm 138:7-8 as one passage I will pray every day this year. As I pray the Scriptures, I find that God gives me both strength and assurance that he is with me.
Maybe this year you might join me in praying more Scripture. And as we pray, we might consider using the prayer book of Jesus. What might happen when we align our prayers with the very prayers Jesus prayed?! I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to find out!
Your time with God’s Word
Psalm 138:7-8; Matthew 2:1-23 ESV
Illustration by Svetlana Vorotniak at istockphoto.com
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