Jesus Prayed

Day 47: Mark 1:29-45, Mark 2:1-12

“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

"This is the first of three glimpses Mark provides into Jesus’ prayer life (see also 6:46; 14:32–42). Jesus rose early and found a deserted place partially because the crowds were always present."
- Black, A. (1995). Mark (Mk 1:35–39)

There are really two types of communication we use on any given day.

The first is what I would call a blip in communication. It is when we send the obligatory texts like brb or lol or jk or on my way or almost there. We use this type to share in short bursts. It is helpful, but we wouldn't probably call it affectionate.

The second is what I would call long-haul communication. This is when we sit down over a meal and work through things in a relationship. Maybe we need to really speak the truth into someone's life. With this type, no time really seems like enough.

I'm sure Jesus had many blip prayers during his 33 years as he walked this earth. This is the kind that Nehemiah prayed as he approached the king (see Nehemiah 2:4). Yet the substance that he fed on most for strength was found in these early-morning (long-haul) prayer sessions (or late-night; see Matthew 14:23).

What about us? Do we make time for this kind of rich prayer? Or do we have too much going on to communicate with our Creator?

If Jesus found (or made) time during his frantic three-year earthly ministry, surely we can make time in our schedules as well.

As a mentor once told me, "We have time for what we make time for."

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." - Colossians 4:2