And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
Mark 1:35 ESV
For Jesus the battle was on. He was teaching, healing, casting out demons, leading his team of disciples, travelling...and praying.
Often for me prayer has been something I'll slip in when I have time, or in response to a situation.
Jesus is modeling something different.
Deliberate
Time
Alone
Uninterrupted
Seems difficult in our world to find that kind of space. Maybe Jesus was struggling with that too, which is why he got up very early, so no one else knew, and ducked off somewhere quiet.
Paul talked of closing his door.
This is not the only time Jesus did this.
Prayer was his habit.
I wonder if my mission would be clearer, my focus better, my walk with God more secure, my questions, doubts, challenges and troubles...I wonder if I would see and respond to those things differently if I was more deliberate in my prayer.
If I just followed Jesus example a bit more often, a bit more intentionally...
#gospelofmark
#prayer
#fuelforthesoul
#strengthforthebattle