Key scripture – “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. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, ‘Everyone is looking for you.’ And he said to them, ‘Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.’ And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.” (Mark 1:35-39).

Nothing is more important for your ministry in the future of making disciples for God than your prayer life in the present!

When you read the verses that precede today’s passage, you’ll see that the day in Capernaum before this morning of prayer in Jesus’ life was filled with God at work. In Capernaum, He started out early teaching in the synagogue. “And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching.” (Mark 1:21). While He was in the synagogue He had to take care of an unclean spirit. “And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.” (Mark 1:23-26). When He left the synagogue He went to Simon and Andrew’s house and healed Simon’s mother-in-law. “And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.” (Mark 1:29-31). Even though Jesus’ teaching that day had a massive impact on the people in Capernaum, His day was still not over because at sundown they brought the sick to Him to heal. “That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.” (Mark 1:32-34).

You might think Jesus would want to sleep in the next morning, but He woke up early and slipped out to pray. “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.” It would be easy to think that since God worked so powerfully in Capernaum, the same would automatically be true elsewhere but Jesus knew that He could not live on yesterday’s prayers and accomplishments to achieve what He needed to do today. Jesus also knew that God’s work through Him would match His prayer life and that is why He always went before His Father in prayer.

If God’s work through you were to match your prayer life, would He be doing a lot or a little?

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I know that the best way and only way to start my day is in Your Word and on my knees before You in prayer every morning. That is what Jesus did and I know that is what I need to do. Prayer is so important and that is why Paul told us to pray without ceasing. I know in order to make it through my day I need to be in constant communication with You about everything. I want the Holy Spirit to prompt me throughout the day to stop and pray. I will start my day by praying and thanking You for the plans that You have for me, the air that I breath, my family, getting to work safely, my job, my health, the home that You have provided for me, my friends. And if I receive any bad news today, I will immediately run to You, get on my knees and talk to You about it in prayer so that I do not lean on my own understanding, but instead I commit my ways to You as I put all my trust in You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.