Mark 1:35, “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”
Modeling the discipline of prayer. How was Mark able to write this verse when it is clear that everyone was sleeping when Jesus entered in this prayer discipline? In the succeeding verses is our main verse in Mark 1:35 we read, “And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” How did they know where He was? Imagine that this was a routine of the Lord, and that there was a particular place that He would go to pray and they knew therefore where to find him at that time. However, what about, or perhaps this was the first time He did this? They searched and found Him in prayer, or to say another way, they caught Him praying. R.C. Sproul shares, “The verb used for their search is more better conveyed as the disciples were hunting high and low to find Jesus. And when they do find him they question Him in the form of a thinly veiled rebuke as if to say to Him, ‘there is no time for you to pray, your fame is spreading and many seekers are awaiting you to minister to them, there is much ministry to do.'” The people wanting to meet with Jesus could care less about His prayer time with the Father and realize there are times when many will not care about your prayer life either. This unfortunately includes some leaders in the local church. Do you care more of using your gifts and talents that God gave you, even if your private spiritual disciplines of prayer and Bible reading are neglected? Oh how I have seen pastors place new believers quickly into leadership when there is no prayer life…what a tragedy! Many are more interested in what you can do, than who you are in Christ. This is gravely unbalanced.
Christ modeled that ministry toward others, must begin with being ministered to by being alone with God you, prior to being effective for Him. What would someone catch you doing in secret? Would your children catch you on your knees in fellowship with the Lord? Would those in your church, or your discipleship group, when searching for you, discover you in communion with the Lord? Oh what an act to be found in, prayer! Oh that this would be me and that would be you. What an impact this makes upon others.
May you heed the realities of these initial four verbs (rising/departed/went/prayed and modeling) as exemplified by Christ, and may you too exemplify them as well.
Until the nets are filled…
Blessings, Phil (God’s evangelist and servant)
Related articles
- The Prayer Routine Of Our Lord Or Christ And The Discipline Of Prayer, Part 1of3, Pastor Phil Sessa (magnifyhisword.wordpress.com)
- Effective Praying, Part 1of4, Evans Olang (magnifyhisword.wordpress.com)
He Has Magnified His Word 