Mark 1:35-39 (NRSV)
Read Mark 1:35-39 on biblegateway.com
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
The next day Jesus awoke very early and went to a quiet place to pray. He had achieved a certain amount of notoriety from the healings he performed the day before. But now he sought solitude; and for a brief while he got it. In solitude he prayed. All too soon, however, Simon and the others found him, and they all set about the busy agenda of traveling throughout the country proclaiming the message and casting out demons.
Whatever else Jesus was doing in this text, he did two things worth thinking about. First, finding solitude in our busy world is not easy, but it is necessary. We are so overwhelmed by noise, activity and digital devices that we can be driven to distraction. Follow Jesus, seek solitude. Then Jesus prayed, which is something else more easily said than done. Still, it is well to follow Jesus and offer prayer regularly.
Prayer
O God, you want to attract us in word and deed. In solitude help us to pray that your kingdom may come, that your will be done and that you would save us from the time of trial. Amen.