Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
Mark 1:35
Question
What would change if prayer became your first priority for the day?
Context
Mark chapter 1 records an intense season in Jesus’ ministry. He had just taught in the synagogue, cast out demons, healed the sick, and spent the evening serving crowds who pressed in on Him. Humanly speaking, Jesus had every reason to sleep in. Instead, He withdrew to pray.
Rising early and seeking a quiet place was not a ritual, it was a priority. Jesus did not pray because He was weak; He prayed because He depended fully on the Father. Prayer grounded Him, clarified His mission, and aligned His heart with God’s will.
Application
If anyone ever had a reason to skip prayer, it was Jesus. Yet before the next wave of ministry, He chose solitude over applause and prayer over productivity. Jesus understood something we often forget: intimacy with the Father must be a priority.
We often wait to pray until we feel overwhelmed. Jesus prayed before the demands of the day could shape His direction. In the stillness of the early morning, He received strength, wisdom, and focus.
Consider how you begin your day. Before emails, obligations, and conversations begin, make time to be alone with God. The goal is not perfection but priority. A few minutes in God’s presence can redirect an entire day.
Truth For The Day
Prayer is not what we do after the work, it is what prepares us for the work.
Pray
Lord, teach me to seek You before I seek solutions. Help me to value time with You above the noise and demands of life. Align my heart with Your will as I begin each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
