Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for You!”
Crowds were forming wherever Jesus went, hoping to be healed. Imagine the joy on people's faces as Jesus freed them or their loved ones from blindness, crippling diseases, or mental torments. Yet when He awoke early each morning, He didn't hurry back to the crowds but went to a deserted place to pray.
No doubt even more people had arrived during the night, seeking Jesus' help. But the most important thing to Jesus - even more important than healing the sick - was for Him to set aside time to talk to God. Jesus needed the strength and revitalization that comes from deep and heartfelt prayer. Even though the needs of others were heartbreakingly great, it was even more important to remain fully connected with the Lord.
There's a tension that speaks to our own spiritual life. Many times we feel torn as we decide where to focus our energies. Do we pray? Or study? Or care for others? Do we evangelize? Simon Peter didn't understand. He hunted Jesus down and demanded that He get back to healing the people. But without time spent in prayer, we are choosing how we spend our resources instead of following God's guidance.
Jesus had only three precious years on this earth to tell the world and His disciples all that He wanted them to know. Yet in His incredibly busy and eternally important schedule, He took time every day to pray and commune with God. If He did this, surely we should set aside that time, each day, to pray to our Heavenly Father.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for thinking I am too busy to pray. Teach me the importance of constant prayer. Create an eagerness in me, Holy Spirit, to set aside time, throughout the day, to come into Your presence and gaze on Your beauty and power through prayer. In the name of my example, Jesus, Amen.
** This devotion was taken from The Sanctuary for Lent 2016 by Sue Mink
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