“But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.” Mark 5:16 (NASB)
In this passage of scripture, we find Jesus in the early days of his ministry. He was beginning his more public ministry and word was getting around about his powers, healing and teaching abilities.
And right in the midst of the author describing how Jesus’ fame was spreading, he inserts this line “But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.”
Why do you think Mark put that verse there? What does it say to you that in one breath, Mark is discussing Jesus’ fame and popularity and in the next, he is discussing his prayer habits?
And this is not the only time we see Jesus praying in the Bible. He prayed with His disciples, on his own and any time he felt the need to be close to God.
Right in the middle of him being busy.
Yes, he got up this time in the morning to spend time with God, but at other times He prayed with His disciples during the day, at night or whenever it was he had something to say. We see that in the midst of Jesus’ ministry, he made time to pray.
He made time to speak with his Father about what was important to him. He took time to ask for guidance, for strength and to intercede for others.
Though he was in fact with God and equal to God, he still made a point to commune with him about the important things. Things he may very well have already known (in his Divine Spirit), he still utilized the very human form of communication with God to speak his needs and receive comfort and encouragement from God.
How then can we do any less than Jesus? If prayer was important to him (in the midst of his busyness), how much more important is it for you and me to pray to God when we need Him? How much more important is it for us to go to Him for comfort, encouragement, to meet our needs and provide us with direction? In the midst of our busyness?
Don’t make excuses. And don’t say you don’t have time.
Find time to spend with our God and give Him the honor and respect that He deserves. Choose to spend time with the One who loves you beyond all measure.
Cease looking for answers outside of yourself and give your needs to the One who cares (and can actually do something about them!).
Pray.
And spend some time with God today.
And things will get better.
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