Leader's relationship

One of the most important aspect of a Christian Leader is to build a strong relationship with the Father - God and with others.

Following what Jesus said about the great command:

Mark 12:30-31New American Standard Bible (NASB)

30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Jesus showed his relationship with the Father and others - Might it be his disciples and other as the one that Leader of all time should follow.

Leaders pass the Torch - On succession planning

Succession planning is about the future, providing the source for inspiration or guidance or the need which the Leader currently or presently was providing to the followers.

Jesus promised eternal life for those who believe in him, Jn 11:26 he also promised that he will be with us till the end - Mat 28:20. But the most significant thing that Jesus did & told about is -
John 16:7 NIV
But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

John 16:5-15New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Holy Spirit Promised

5 “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you,sorrow has filled your heart. 7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the [a]Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.

Jesus is called as Emmanuel - Means "God with us". Mat 1:23



The other aspect of what Jesus did on the cross regarding his disciple and mother is significant,

John 19:26-27New American Standard Bible (NASB)

26 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He *said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”27 Then He *said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.

We can also see many other examples where people who are in Leadership positions failed to provide for the future.
Pilate
Saul in OT
The Rich Fool - from the parable etc.

Proverbs 13:22 (NASB)
A good man leaves an inheritance to his [a]children’s children,
And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.


A good succession planning comes with a cost:

A Leader will have to foresee the future.
Leader should provide for the future.
Leader should value his people only then he can care for his people.

Leaders asks

At one of the most difficult time in Jesus' life, he asks the most important question: "If you are willing". Father's willingness was more important than his "cup" which is suffering.




"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."





Matthew 7:7 NIV
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

So, what shall we ask?

Ask for Wisdom
Ask for Holy Spirit
Ask that Glorifies The Father

Psalm 37:4English Standard Version (ESV)

4 Delight yourself in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

1 John 5:14 NIV
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.



James 4:2-3 (NASB)
You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.








Just after Solomon asks for Wisdom, he not only gets it, but also uses it (in case of Judging the women's child.

1 Kings 3:1-15New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Solomon’s Rule Consolidated

3 Then Solomon [a]formed a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter and brought her to the city of Daviduntil he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lordand the wall around Jerusalem. 2 The people were still sacrificing on the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the Lorduntil those days.

3 Now Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 In Gibeon theLord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, “Ask whatyou wish Me to give you.”

Solomon’s Prayer

6 Then Solomon said, “You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in [b]truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have[c]reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. 9 So give Your servant [d]an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this [e]great people of Yours?”

God’s Answer

10 [f]It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and havenot asked for yourself [g]long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself[h]discernment to understand justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. 13 I have also given you what you have not asked, bothriches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. 14 If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.”

15 Then Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and made peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.

Leaders Love

One of the most difficult but the most important thing a Godly Leader should do is instructed by Jesus in Matthew 5.

Jesus brings the law of Moses into a new dimension, no one would have though that a sinner, evil person should be left free, no one though to love enemies, all through out the old testament and the world around it is hate your enemies, love only those who love you and care for you, but Jesus gives us a new dimension into what God really is, Jesus gives the example of how God causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, send rain to both righteous and the unrighteous.

A Godly Leader is one who Loves, Love should be the one and only aspect for his actions, if it is not out of love it deviates into many other objectives and the Leader will not only be able to live a Godly life, he also fails to be a Godly Leader.

The first few verses from v.38-42 states that we ought to do the exact opposite of what is expected out of us.

The next verses from v.43-48 also starts with what we have heard i.e the Laws, and to do the exact opposite. Jesus also emphasis on the fact that to be perfect is not by following Laws, but by being like the Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:38-48New American Standard Bible (NASB)

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take your [a]shirt, let him have your [b]coat also.41 Whoever [c]forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may [d]be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Therefore[e]you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Leaders without Vision

A Leader is one who is able to foresee the future, it is not exactly a picture what the future will be, but with all the facts and numbers he is able to determine and chart the course for the ship to sail through the rough path. The storms and the waves may hit hard, but sailing through the tough times is the heart of what Leadership is. Godly Leaders like Noah, who got the vision that God told him about the rain made him to trust in God that God will save and he will provide a way out of it, Noah did not stop just by believing but acted on what God wanted him to do, building up the ship.

Moses is an other example of a Godly Leader who gave the instructions of law and lead the people of Israel into the promised land, there were difficulties on the way, but what kept these Leaders and many more in the Bible go through? Their trust was with God, God who made them, who put them in such situations and circumstances, who was there with them, who was in them, they were confident about the fact that if they just have Faith and Obey his words they will be saved, and all through the journey he was worshiped and glorified.

God turns everything for good, these little difficulties turns out to be the best possible way to make us, the Leaders and people understand who God is and what he can do for us.

Jesus led the people in the light, darkness blurs the vision, it even blinds the vision. The punishment for sin, death on cross - Jesus had a greater vision than any other Leader through out history of mankind, there will be no Leader like Jesus henceforth.

Jesus warns about those Leaders with out Vision, who says one thing and does the other.
Matthew 15:14 (KJV)
Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

The very reason he asks us to take up the cross, is to lift us up, to see a grander vision that he has for us, not to be condemned, not to be a slave, not to be in darkness. But to help us understand that the end will be the best, that he will be along us bearing our pains and listening to our cries, to bring the best in us, to see the vision that God loves us and he is Love, to bring us to the light, to make us salt of the earth, to redeem us from sin, to glorify his name, to be with him forever. 

Leaders need of the hour

Great Leaders not only overcome the limitations of the place and culture, but also time. Jesus set an example as a Leader who not only transformed the lives of people who lived at his time on earth, but even today people from different parts of the world are inspired by this one and the only Leader - Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ said that a Leader should have a attitude like that of a Servant -
John 13:13-15 (NIV)
13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Jesus warned about the Leaders/Teachers of this world -
Matthew 20:25-28 (NASB)
25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His [a]life a ransom for many.”


Matthew 15:14 NIV
Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."

The Self proclaimed Leaders are those who are blind (Spiritually) they don't know who the true God is. So they tend to show the others (followers) way, but ultimately they themselves will fall into the pit. It is very important to know what kind of Leaders we follow.

Jesus - Who is a Leader guides his followers into the path of righteous, truth and freedom. Because he is the "Light" of the world, the one who is the Path, "The Way, Truth and the Life". Rest assured for those who follow him, for those who come to him,

Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.


We look at the world and see how generous God is, who gave us everything. Life, Hope, Health, etc. even before we could ask of him anything, he has given everything, in fact he said, "It is finished" - "Its done", any other Leader would ask first of what we have done for him or for ourselves, or at least what we are going to do. That's very important for life, as to what we have done, what we are going to do, but when it comes to Salvation, Forgiveness, all the things that we can do or done will never compromise God's quality of Life. So, God took the initiative, he not only forgives the Sin, but also gives the direction for the sinner to find a way to live a Godly life, he often gave directions to the people who considered to be sinner, low in society, we could see how he valued such people like the "Women caught in adultery", "Women at the Well", "The blind from birth", "The Leapers" etc.

Sufferings & Testings

James 1:2-4 (NASB)

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Hebrews 12:6 NIV
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son."


2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Psalm 30:11-12 Amplified Bible (AMP)
You have turned my mourning into dancing for me;
You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.


John 15:2 NIV
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Ecclesiastes 3King James Version (KJV)

3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Jesus' Miracles on bringing back the dead

Jesus' Miracles on bringing back the dead has some important lessons:

Jesus brought back to life three people when he was on the earth. Though these people died after that, they still bring God glory for they was once bought out from the death.

More than any other miracle or incident in the life of Jesus is his own life, death and resurrection. The fact that other people died after they have been bought to life is that they were still humans, but Jesus was God.

The Jews, Romans - Who thought Jesus life would bring them difficulties - In politics and religious views, They killed the Lord, but very soon they realized what they have done is wrong.

Why Blaspheming is condemned to death? Why was Jesus put to death?
Jews believed that God can't be in the form of Human, though the scriptures testified about Jesus, they could not accept him as God and Savior. This lead to their decision to bring an end to the claim that Jesus had, thinking if we put to death we can bring to an end of everything, His claims, his miracles, his blaspheming, his followers, his mission, everything. But they were wrong.

Leviticus 17:11 NIV
For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life.

Leviticus 24:16 NIV
anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD is to be put to death. The entire assembly must stone them. Whether foreigner or native-born, when they blaspheme the Name they are to be put to death.

The Great "I AM"

Jesus is the great "I AM".

Jesus' "I AM" statements in the Gospel of John indicates that he indeed is the great "I AM" who spoke to Moses. Exodus 3:13-14 (HCSB)13 Then Moses asked God, “If I go to the Israelites and say to them: The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ what should I tell them?” 14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.”

Jesus constantly was rebuked for being great, Many questioned about his authority, they asked, "are you greater than....." and they hurled him saying he is demon possessed and does the miracles with the help of "Beelzebul" Matthew 12:24 NIV But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons."

But every time Jesus says with powerful words and with reference with the Patriarchs, Kings, Judges Prophets, etc. who worshiped God and spoke about God. Jesus reminds them that they were speaking about him only.

John 8:31-59 (NLT)

Jesus and Abraham
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33 “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?”

34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. 37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. 38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.”

39 “Our father is Abraham!” they declared.

“No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. 40 Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. 41 No, you are imitating your real father.”

They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”

42 Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! 44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! 46 Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”

48 The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?”

49 “No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. 50 And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge. 51 I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”

52 The people said, “Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, ‘Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

54 Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’ 55 but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”

57 The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?”

58 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” 59 At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.




John 3:14 (NLT)

14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up




John 8:28 (NLT)

28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me.




Matthew 12:38-45 (NLT)

The Sign of Jonah
38 One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority.”

39 But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.

41 “The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent. 42 The queen of Sheba will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.

43 “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order. 45 Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.”





John 4:12: Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?"





John 9:28-29 (NASB) They reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where He is from.”

















Jesus' miracles has two significant meaning or message:
1. To prove that he is God
2. To resolve or to give the solution for a particular problem.

Jesus' choosing of those for healing or miracles, for forgiveness of sins:
Jesus chose most of them, healing the blind from birth(John, 9:1-12), the woman at the well(John 4:1-42) etc. This could also mean that this very events have been written in the Bible - The Holy Scriptures that many generations will come to know that Jesus is the God and he chose anyone, but not limited to those he chose, also for anyone who comes to him with humble heart - Ex: The Centurion(Luke 7:1-10), Woman who had blood issue Luke 8:43. etc

I am a friend of God

A friend of mine was discussing the implications of Micah
6:8 with his seven-year-old grandson: “What does the LORD
require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk
humbly with your God?” The little boy, who was memorizing
this verse, said, “Grandpa, it’s hard to be humble if you’re really
walking with God.” That’s great theology coming from a seven-
year-old. When we begin to get a glimpse of the unlimited
resources at our disposal—the power of God himself—then and
only then will we sense the assurance that we are fully equipped
to do whatever it is that God calls us to do.
We might feel like the little mouse who was crossing a bridge
over a very deep ravine with an elephant. As the elephant and the
mouse crossed the bridge, the bridge shook. When they got to the
other side, the mouse looked at his huge companion and said,
“Boy, we really shook that bridge, didn’t we?”
When we walk with God, that’s often how we feel—like a
mouse with the strength of an elephant. After crossing life’s trou
bled waters, we can say with the mouse, “God, we really shook
that bridge, didn’t we?” - Be All You Can Be - John C Maxwell


Abraham was called as "Father of Nations", "Father of Faith" and also "Friend of God".

James 2:23 (NASB)
and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.

What does it mean, "Friend of God" means?
Walking with almighty God. Friendship with God is one of the best relationship anyone could have in the life. Jesus is said to be the "Friend of Tax Collectors and Sinners". He is willing to do(already done) anything for the sake of Friendship, not out of compulsion or need but because of his Love.


What does it take to be "Friend of God"?
Jesus says "You are My friends if you do what I command you." further in the verse 17... This I command you, that you love one another.

Just for the sake of Friends: Jesus:
did - The Greatest Sacrifice v.13
calls -  us Friends v. 15
makes -  us understand his will v. 15
He chose us v. 16
He appointed us v. 16
That we would go and bear fruit v. 16
Whatever we ask of the Father in Jesus' name He may give to you v. 16
Commands us to "Love one another" v.17

John 15:13-17 (NASB)
Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 This I command you, that you love one another.

Prayer and persistent

Luke 11:5-8 (NKJV)
A Friend Comes at Midnight
And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

Jesus called as "Friend of Tax Collector and Sinner"

Matthew 11:18-20 (NASB)
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a [a]drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and [b]sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”


Jesus the comforter:

1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness;
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer!
   In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
   Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
   May we ever, Lord, be bringing
   All to Thee in earnest prayer.
   Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
   There will be no need for prayer—
   Rapture, praise, and endless worship
   Will be our sweet portion there.