I am reading/praying my way through Luke right now. One thing I truly love about Luke’s take on the life of Jesus is in the intricate tie between prayer and activity.

In Luke 5 there is the constant rush of ministry activity. Healing, teaching, deliverance ministry, but Luke adds in, “Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.” (v. 16)

On the heels of that came a time when Jesus was teaching and Luke specifically notes, “And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus.” (v. 17) It was then that the four men carrying the paralyzed men showed up.

In chapter 6, Jesus prays all night, then picks the Twelve (6:12-16). After picking the Twelve they came down from the mountain and Luke notes “healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone.” (v. 19)

Prayer… then healing.

Prayer… then direction for ministry.

Prayer… then deliverance ministry.

Anyone noticing a pattern here?