Mark 1:29-39 (NRSV)
Read Mark 1:29-39 on biblegateway.com
Verse 29As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Verse 30Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. Verse 31He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
Verse 32That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. Verse 33And the whole city was gathered around the door. Verse 34And he cured 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. Verse 35In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. Verse 36And Simon and his companions hunted for him. Verse 37When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." Verse 38He answered, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do." Verse 39And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Devotion
Word spread fast among those who were sick or possessed with demons. There was finally a man among them who could be of help. They came to Jesus to be healed. He did not disappoint any of them.
It was part of Jesus' mission on earth "to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners." (Isaiah 61:1-2) But he never forgot the One who sent him on this mission. He always found a time and a place to pray to the Almighty God.
Our mission is certainly different but the need for prayer is just as important. We need to recall our God and call upon the Lord in prayer.
Prayer
O Holy One, let us never forget what a gift you have given us in prayer. Lead us to a quiet place in life where we can speak from the heart of our needs and hear from the height of your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.