Prayer as a Priority

Devotional Reading: Then Jesus got up early in the morning when it was still very dark, departed, and went out to a deserted place, and there he spent time in prayer. Mark 1:35 NKJV

Throughout the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life on earth, there are many times when He stepped away from others to pray. One time, it was after He had healed many sick people, including Peter’s mother-in-law, and while many people were looking for Him. Another time was after He had fed over 5,000 people. And another time, He slipped away after He had just shared His last meal with His disciples.

Jesus often chose to retreat to a quiet place to spend time in the presence of His Father. Often, it was after He had performed miracles. Sometimes it was before a major event. No matter the circumstance, we see Jesus leaving the presence of others to sit in the presence of His heavenly Father.

We often hear comments that tell us that if Jesus needed time alone with God, we need it all the more. While this is true, and we need to spend time with our heavenly Father, there was more to Jesus’ actions. Jesus wanted to spend time with His Father. Jesus knew the Father was His source, sustainer, comfort, and joy. Jesus didn’t only retreat to spend time alone with God when He was in need but to deepen His relationship with God further.

What we can focus on from passages like these is not simply that Jesus needed to be in the presence of God, but that He desired to be in the presence of God. The more we make prayer a priority in our lives, the more we desire to be in God’s presence. The more time we spend with Him, the more we recognize the joy and peace that come from only His presence. Jesus regularly sought time alone with the Father. May we also live in a way that guards and protects our precious, invaluable time with God.

Prayer and Confession
Heavenly Father, You alone are my source. You alone are where I find joy, peace, comfort, provision, grace, and love. Help me turn from distractions, commitments, and others so I can make spending time with You a priority. Allow me to see the times in my day when I should turn to You instead of other distractions. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Further Reading: Matthew 14:23