Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed (Mark 1:35 NKJV). This verse is found about three fourths into the first chapter of Mark. The night before this occurred, "the whole city" of Capernaum was gathered around the house where Jesus was staying, and he healed many who were sick and cast out many demons. As we read elsewhere in Scripture, Jesus was often surrounded by great multitudes. However, the Holy Spirit tells us in this passage that the Son of God sought for time alone to pray to the Father. He went to a place where he would be by himself and where there were no distractions, and then he prayed.
How is your prayer life? If I could list some of the things I would like to improve in my walk with God, my prayer life would have to be on that list. I believe I am not alone and that many other Christians feel the same way. Even back in New Testament times, God's people were seeking a better prayer life. Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1). I do not think that this disciple had never prayed to God because he did not know how, but perhaps, like us, he was looking for the right words or some guidance from someone who was wise.
The Bible can help us in many ways to improve our prayer lives, such as the content, our disposition or attitude, etc., but the one thing I would like to focus on is what Jesus did in Mark 1:35. Jesus made time for prayer and he prayed. His prayer life was disciplined and consistent. Some get out of bed in the mornings while it is still dark to jog, lift weights, or exercise in some way. They do this because they are disciplined. It may be difficult and they might want to hit the snooze button, but discipline gets them out of bed. For some who wish they could do better in prayer, it may be that their prayers are irregular and inconsistent.
The good news is that all of us have the choice to make time for prayer. Imagine how busy Jesus was as you read the first chapter of Mark, yet he had time to pray to the Father. Are you disciplined and consistent in prayer? Perhaps we would feel better about our prayer lives if we were. I can think of no better way to begin our day than in prayer to God. Jesus did. When do you pray? The Bible can tell you what to pray, where to pray, how to pray, why to pray, who to pray for, and when to pray. Let us resolve to be disciplined in when we pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up (Psalm 5:3).
Brotherly, Jamie
