“As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.” (Luke 9:29) 

While the Lord was praying, He was glorified before the eyes of His disciples. The intention was prayer, but the result was glory (see Luke 9:28). When we apply this scene on the mountain to ourselves, we see two things that happen through prayer:

1. Prayer changes, first of all, the person who
2. Through prayer, God shows us something of His

When we pray, we enter heaven in spirit. We enter into the presence of God, where the throne of grace is. The presence of God forms us and leaves a lasting impression. How many believers have experienced that after a time of prayer, they were changed, and suddenly had peace and joy in their hearts again.

Hannah prayed and wept before the Lord for a long time. After she had poured out her heart to Him, her face was no longer sad (see 1 Sam. 1:10, 18). Moses spent 40 days and nights in the presence of God, and as a result, His face shone (Ex. 34:29). God wants to do a work in us before He does a work through us!

Often God shows us something of His glory or His glorious action in response to prayer. “Please show me yourglory.” (Ex. 33:18), Moses prayed in the wilderness, and this was wonderfully answered. Now—as he stands on the mountain in the promised land—he no longer sees the glory of God only from behind, but in the face of a dependent Person—the Lord of glory. This praying Man will one day rule over this earth as “King of kings and Lord of lords.” Moses didn’t pray in vain, and so it will be for us too, if we ask God to reveal His glory in our lives. The Man on the mountain is still the Man who can move mountains today!

The disciples fell asleep while the Lord Jesus prayed and was transformed. When Peter finally woke up, he immediately wanted to start building three tents. In Gethsemane, the Lord told the disciples to wake up and pray. But there too they were overcome by sleep. Shortly afterwards Peter impulsively struck out with his sword to defend his Master. Both times it was—although well-intentioned—misguided activism due to a lack of prayer.

Similar to what happened at His baptism at the Jordan, on the mountain where He was transfigured, prayer was followed by the public testimony of the Father about the Son. The Son of God honored His Father through dependence and trust in prayer, and received glory and honor from Him (see 2 Pet. 1:17). The Lord promised His disciples, “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him” (John 12:26).

What effect does the following promise of God have on your prayer life: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (Jas. 4:8)? The man who in his time was the meekest man on earth (see Num. 12:3) spent much time in the presence of God. How often do you linger there to be changed by Him? Ask God to make His glory visible in your life too!