SETTING PRIORITIES
Opening Prayer
Lord my God, I adore You and praise You. As I open my heart to You, do Your saving and healing work in me, and through me.
Read Mark 1:35–39
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.
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 requests will you bring to the Lord today?Jesus has had quite a day. The synagogue congregation have been amazed by His teaching, many sick people have been healed and demon-oppressed people freed. The next day, He is up early to spend time in prayer (35).
The word translated ‘solitary place’ (35) is the same one used for ‘wilderness’ in verse 12. After the start of His public ministry, He again withdraws to spend time with His Father to focus on the mission and strategy which He had to pursue in making known the Good News of the kingdom. The disciples might have expected Him to continue with healing and preaching in Capernaum, but His mission was much wider (38,39). The kingdom has to be preached in other towns. Jesus is focused on His calling.
I once knew a minister who pastored several churches. Each time he went to a small, struggling congregation, he built it up with his pastoral and teaching skills. Then, as it became established, he moved on to help another small church. That is not a way to become famous, perhaps, but it was his calling from God.
Apply
Do you have times when you step aside to consider what your priorities are? Do you need to make time for this now?
Closing prayer
Heavenly Father, I need the gift of discernment, so, like Jesus, I can see what is actually going on around me.
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