Pray FirstSample

DEVOTIONAL

The book of Mark begins and ends with Jesus going off somewhere to pray. Mark 1 tells the stories of Jesus’s first miracles and how he quickly drew crowds of people (vv. 32-33). There were evidently so many people near the house he was staying in that “very early in the morning, while it was still dark” he needed “a solitary place” to pray (v. 35). Then later, near the end of the book, Jesus again withdraws to pray in solitude. Only this time the people were coming to arrest him (14:32-42).

It's important to notice that this behavior of Jesus was recorded in Mark. Most Bible scholars believe that Mark was the first of the four gospels to be written. The next two gospels to be written, Matthew and Luke, were likely finished after Mark started circulating among the early Christians. Both Matthew and Luke seem to borrow heavily from Mark, filling in various gaps in the story as each author was led by the Spirit to do so. (John, which was likely written a few decades later, didn’t borrow from Mark as much.)

So, the first Christians saw that the place in which we pray matters. The earliest stories of Jesus made a point to say that he withdrew to specific locations to pray.This echoes Abraham who climbed Mount Moriah with Isaac in order to build a private altar to God, and Moses who ascended Mount Sinai to speak with God alone.

The modern world is filled with distractions that vie for our attention. However, we can experience a stronger connection with God by practicing solitude. By shutting out the noise of daily life, and by focusing on communicating with God alone, we position ourselves for a deeper connection with him.

Take the opportunity for a more vibrant relationship with God by being intentional about where you pray today. When it’s possible, find a place of solitude and be alone with God. By doing so, you’ll engaged in a practice that the earliest Christians understood, and that Jesus himself modeled.

REFLECTION

Loneliness is not the same as solitude. How are they different?

Where are you most likely to find a few minutes of solitude each day?

What would it take to start withdrawing from distractions on a daily basis for prayer?

PRAYER

Dear Lord, thank you for being available for solitary time together. Thank you for the presence of your Spirit with mine. As I withdraw from the noise of the world, please re-connect with me. Your love is amazing. Your grace and your mercy sustain me. Please bless our time together this week. Amen.