Daily Devotionals

Escaping Ordinary Week 1: Tuesday

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Mark 1:35

One way you will be sure to spend time with someone is to make an appointment. For example, if you need to see a doctor or meet with an important client, you need to make an appointment with them. Even if you want to see a close friend, you have to make an appointment, but we call these “plans” instead. You are setting a time and a place that sets you up for success to meet with the person you would like to encounter. Our relationship with God is no different. When we have a set time and place to meet with God daily, we will be more consistent and intentional with our prayers. 

Mark 1 tells us that Jesus set the ultimate example for us in prayer. Verse 35 tells us, “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” Notice that Jesus had a time and place to meet. He met with God the Father and prayed “before daybreak.” He went very early in the morning. I can imagine that He chose this time because it was uninterrupted. Everyone else was sleeping. He also likely chose this time because it was essential to begin His day full of ministry with God the Father. Jesus did this often in His life. Luke 5:16 tells us that “Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.” Jesus had a time and place where He met with God the Father to pray, which made prayer a regular habit in His life. 

Friends, if Jesus, the Son of God, needed regular and consistent communion with God the Father, you and I do as well. We can follow His example by having a time and a place where we regularly talk with God. Let’s make plans or have a standing appointment with Him every day. He is waiting for us to come to Him every single day. What are you waiting for?

Moving toward action

Do you have a time and place to meet with God daily? If so, spend some time reflecting on how this intentionality has grown your relationship with Him. If not, set a time and place. For example, are you a morning person? Set a time in the morning to meet with Him. If you are an evening person, find the time each evening to meet with God each day. Next, set a place. Do you have a favorite chair you can sit in to meet God? Maybe it is your kitchen table right next to the window, so you get a lot of natural light. Whatever the place, plan to meet with God there every day. As you do these things, you will set yourself up for success to consistently meet with God.

Going Deeper

 Mark 1:29-39(NLT)

"After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. 31 So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them.

32 That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33 The whole town gathered at the door to watch. 34 So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.

35 Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. 36 Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 37 When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

38 But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” 39 So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons."