What's your idea of a good way to unwind after a busy day? Watch some TV? Listen to music? Read a good book? A hot bath? How about an early morning prayer vigil? (Yes, you read that right). This might not be the first idea that would come to mind, but it's worth considering.
"In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there." (Mark 1:35)
It is significant in itself that Jesus chose to rise early and retreat to a secluded area for communion with His Father in prayer, but this action takes on even greater significance when we consider the previous day's activities.
It was a Sabbath,and Jesus began the day by teaching in a synagogue (Mark 1:21). While He was there He healed a man, which attracted considerable attention. From there, He and His disciples retreated to the home of two of His disciples, where Jesus healed Peter's sick mother-in-law. When evening came, as bedtime approached, a large crowd gathered at the home bringing many sick people to be healed.
Following these hectic and exhausting activities, we read of Jesus' decision to rise early for focused prayer. Fully entitled to a good night's sleep, He chose instead an early-morning prayer retreat, which brought redirection to His work. The next morning He announced, "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for." (Mark 1:38).
Few passages reveal the heart and priority of Jesus as does this one in Mark 1. Amidst meaningful activity and popularity, He did not allow His main purpose of declaring and demonstrating the message of the Kingdom of God to the cities throughout Israel to be jeopardized. Retreating in prayer at a time when sleep was most appealing, He regained focus and energy.
Prayer is often the first response in times of crisis and need, but it most often loses urgency and priority in times of ease and well-being. And yet, these are the times when the priority is greatest. Spiritual seeds of destruction are often sown amidst success.
Perhaps you are overdue for some extended time in secluded prayer with your Father. Such times are the only guarantee that we find and rediscover our true focus and purpose, and remain faithful.
This is an appointment important enough to schedule.
Steve
"In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there." (Mark 1:35)
It is significant in itself that Jesus chose to rise early and retreat to a secluded area for communion with His Father in prayer, but this action takes on even greater significance when we consider the previous day's activities.
It was a Sabbath,and Jesus began the day by teaching in a synagogue (Mark 1:21). While He was there He healed a man, which attracted considerable attention. From there, He and His disciples retreated to the home of two of His disciples, where Jesus healed Peter's sick mother-in-law. When evening came, as bedtime approached, a large crowd gathered at the home bringing many sick people to be healed.
Following these hectic and exhausting activities, we read of Jesus' decision to rise early for focused prayer. Fully entitled to a good night's sleep, He chose instead an early-morning prayer retreat, which brought redirection to His work. The next morning He announced, "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for." (Mark 1:38).
Few passages reveal the heart and priority of Jesus as does this one in Mark 1. Amidst meaningful activity and popularity, He did not allow His main purpose of declaring and demonstrating the message of the Kingdom of God to the cities throughout Israel to be jeopardized. Retreating in prayer at a time when sleep was most appealing, He regained focus and energy.
Prayer is often the first response in times of crisis and need, but it most often loses urgency and priority in times of ease and well-being. And yet, these are the times when the priority is greatest. Spiritual seeds of destruction are often sown amidst success.
Perhaps you are overdue for some extended time in secluded prayer with your Father. Such times are the only guarantee that we find and rediscover our true focus and purpose, and remain faithful.
This is an appointment important enough to schedule.
Steve
posted by steve @ 7:59 AM
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