LIVING FROM REST
Opening Prayer
Spirit of God, as I read Scripture today, open the eyes of my heart to see ways that I can better serve my Savior. I look to you to give me what I need to follow him more closely.
Read MARK 1:35–45
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place
35 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. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy
40 A man with leprosy[a] came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
41 Jesus was indignant.[b] He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
Footnotes
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What things are troubling you and weighing you down today? Ask the Lord to allow you to set them aside as you enter into time with him now.According to some research it is thought that people today spend well over two hours a day on social media.* We are surrounded by constant demands for our attention, trying to divert us from what we should be focusing on.
In today’s passage we see Jesus addressing the very real and pressing need to get away from distractions and from people’s expectations of him; to be alone in prayer. The source of Jesus’ strength was his relationship with his Father. All that he had to do drove him to prayer, to seek communion with the One to whom he could pour out his soul. First, he prayed, and then went out to do what he had come for. If prayer was Jesus’ priority, how much more so it should be for us!
Apply
Where do you tend to get sidetracked from taking time to pray? What are practical steps you might take to reduce the distractions?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, lead me where you want me to be today. Keep me focused on you and help me to do what you have purposed for me.
* https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2023-deep-dive-time-spent-on-social-media; https://www.broadbandsearch.net/blog/average-daily-time-on-social-media
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