Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to
a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35
Picture the scene. On Saturday, the Sabbath, Jesus ministered in the Capernaum synagogue and cast out a demon. He then healed Peter’s mother-in-law in her home. Next, from sundown into the evening hours, He healed various diseases in those gathered in the street. It had been an exhausting day.
But Jesus didn’t sleep in the next day! Before the crack of dawn, before anyone else in the house had arisen, He slipped off quietly to find a solitary place to pray.
I can understand His restlessness in rising early. When I am on the verge of plunging into something major, I don’t feel like sleeping. Jesus knew that the years of quietness and isolation in Nazareth were forever behind Him. The events of the previous day in preaching, exorcism, and healing had launched His public mission.
From now on His days would be filled with people who had needs. He would teach, heal, and cast out demons, but He would also be questioned, accused, and misunderstood.
Whom did He have to turn to for respite from the pressing demands? The Father, of course!
Do you remember a time when you had been away from home and longed for the fellowship of family? Then imagine how Jesus felt.
He had left His home in heaven. But in the quiet of the dark and dawning morning hours He spoke the language of heaven. He continued in the fellowship of the Father and the Holy Spirit. He drew strength and assurance through prayer.
If Jesus found it necessary to spend time alone in prayer, how much more do we?
Certainly, our schedules are no more exhausting or full than His. He shows us that if we are to draw divine strength for our lives we are better off spending an hour or two in prayer than sleep. We often think the reverse—that we need sleep rather than prayer. Why not follow the example of Jesus and cut out some sleeping time for prayer?
One of my seminary professors, Harold Lindsell, said this about prayer:
“God cannot do some things unless we work. He stores the hills with marble, but He has never built a cathedral. He fills the mountains with iron ore, but he never makes a needle or a jet airplane. He leaves that to us.
“If then, God has left many things dependent on man’s thinking and working, why should He not leave some things dependent upon man’s praying? He has done so. ‘Ask and you shall receive.’ And there are some things God will not give us unless we ask.
“We cannot suppose that God will do for us without prayer what He has promised to do for us only through prayer.”
Jesus knew He could not function effectively unless He prayed; neither can we. Prayer must become our everyday habit. If you haven’t already done so, find a time alone each day to adore and praise God. Unpack your burdens and intercede for others. You will be amazed at how near you will draw to Him and how He will respond to your prayers!
A Prayer: Lord Jesus, I cannot get through this day or any day without You. I need time alone with You. In Your presence I am strengthened and renewed. My will, character, and attitudes become aligned to You. I cherish my time alone with You.
Excerpted from Dr. Wood’s forthcoming book, Fearless: How Jesus Changes Everything, available in September from Vital Resources.
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