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.
Mark 1:35

When do you pray? I realize this is a very personal question, but one that is vitally important to consider. I think it is so important to find those times to steal away and pray. We need this quiet time away from the distractions of work, family, and the bustle of life. Jonathan Edwards, a pastor who lived in the First Great Awakening, had an impressive daily routine. He would wake at either 4 or 5 in the morning to begin his day with prayer. He felt the Lord demonstrated early morning prayer, and he desired to follow Jesus in his prayer life.

So that’s what He did. He prayed early in the morning and then spent another 13 hours a day in study and devotional time in Scripture. I realize this is probably unrealistic for most of us. It’s difficult to spend 13 hours a day studying Scripture while we are at work struggling to make money to pay bills and keep the family fed and healthy. But I think we all can pray. We can all wake a little earlier and spend time with the Lord in prayer.

Jesus’ prayer was early

Jesus rose very early in the morning. It was dark, and he was alone. We all have that pull from our snooze button to continue to hit it until the very last minute, and then we rush to get ready for work, grab that coffee, a breakfast bar, a quick kiss from our spouse, and then run out the door as if the house were on fire.
If you ride down one of the main streets in my town early in the morning when people are driving to work, you’ll see women putting makeup on with one hand, texting with the other, and driving with their knees.

These are very talented people. They are the ones who kept hitting their snooze bar. I imagine there is also a breakfast bar somewhere in the car that they try to eat on the way while not spilling the coffee in their pink-colored Yeti. Does this describe your restless and reckless morning?

What would happen if we decided to wake up a little earlier? I know many of you would say, “I’m not a morning person.” I understand. I was the same way until I became a morning person. For me, it was a habit I formed in my own life. Now, I’m no Jonathan Edwards. I don’t roll out of bed at 4 am. But, I do wake up around 6 am and spend quiet time in Scripture and prayer. The more I do it, the easier it gets.

Jesus’ prayer was focused

A desolate place of prayer provides a place where we can pray in a focused way. I believe that’s why He went away from everyone. He focused on communion with God. He, no doubt, wanted to make sure that He was doing the will of His Father. Are you? Do you practice the will of God each day? I’m confident if you practice focused prayers, you will grow closer and more in alignment with God and His will for your life.

Jesus’ prayer was uninterrupted

Are you distracted when you pray? If so, your place is not desolate enough. Prayer was an important activity Jesus practiced, and that’s good enough for me. In most cases, we have no idea what Jesus was praying. But, we do know it was for some extended period because of what is said in v.36-37. “And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.'” Jesus immediately changed the subject and said, let’s go on to the next town.

The disciples were looking for Jesus and couldn’t find Him because He was in a desolate place, praying. Jesus’ prayer was private and focused. He didn’t tell the disciples about his prayer because it was His sweet time with the Father. He just told the disciples it was time to move on to the next town.
When you go to a desolate place, it provides uninterrupted time.

Do you have a back porch that gives you desolation? How about a special chair in your den. Maybe your front porch has a rocking chair you can use. I imagine there is a desolate place around your house you can find to pray. What I find interesting is that Jesus didn’t make a big deal about His going away to pray. It was what He did.

Did you see what happened? As soon as Jesus’ prayer time was interrupted, it was over. He was alone, early, focused, and now INTERRUPTED.
Here’s a question for you. When is the last time your prayer life was interrupted? Just a piercing thought this morning.

A Prayer…

Lord, I confess to you that my prayer life is not what it should be. Jesus’ example of waking early in the morning to pray is a “not so gentle” reminder that I need to be more intentional about my prayer time. Will you please help me to be more intentional, focused, and uninterrupted in my prayer life? Will you help me find that place of desolation where I can pray with no interruptions?

For more information about prayer, click the following link: Learning from the prayer life of Jesus