Following Jesus in Prayer

Mrk 1:35-39 (ESV) And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. [36] And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, [37] and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” [38] And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” [39] And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

1. Be prepared for your day through prayer.
   • Mrk 1:35 (ESV) And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
   • Jesus demonstrated a prayer pattern that we need to consider.
     1. He got up early in the morning, before dawn (it’s still dark outside).
     2. He got alone so he could focus on the Lord and his time with him.

• He spent ongoing time talking to the Lord (he was praying). (Luk 5:16 (ESV) But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.)

• Psa 5:3 (ESV) O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
  1. Gen 19:27 (ESV) And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD. (Is Abraham up early praying to the Lord on Lot’s behalf?)
  2. Gen 28:18 (ESV) So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. (Is Jacob up early praying to and worshiping the Lord for his promises?)

• Job 1:5 (ESV) And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. (Is Job praying to the Lord and sacrificing to the Lord on behalf of his children?)
• The propriety of looking to God in the morning by prayer commends itself to any reflecting mind. Who knows what a day may bring forth? Who knows what temptations may await him? Who can protect himself from the dangers which may encompass him? Who can enable us to discharge the duties which are incumbent on us every day? Feeble, helpless, sinful, prone to err, in a world of temptation, and surrounded by dangers alike when we see them and when we do not, there is an obvious fitness in looking to God each morning for his guidance and protection; and the resolution of the psalmist here should be the firm purpose of every man. (Albert Barnes)
• In the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up: David gives us what to do before and after Before we pray, we should direct our prayer. After we pray, we look up with expectancy to heaven, really believing that God will answer. (Enduring Word Commentary)
• Psa 55:17 (ESV) Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.
• Psa 88:13 (ESV) But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

2. Be purposeful in your day through prayer.
   • Mrk 1:36-39 (ESV) And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, [37] and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” [38] And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” [39] And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
   • Everyone was looking for Jesus, but Jesus got up early that morning in Capernaum and went out into a lonely place to pray to his Father so he could have spiritual preparation for his day. Jesus knew what his purpose was, that’s why he came out. Everyone was looking for Jesus, but Jesus was looking for everyone.
   • Let us go to the next towns, (so) that I may preach. Jesus went out to pray to prepare himself for whatever he was going to encounter that day, but he also went out to pray to prepare himself for his purpose of preaching the gospel, of preaching the kingdom, of preaching repentance. Pray for your day and pray for your purpose.
   • Beginning his day with prayer, specifically for the purpose of his day, kept him focused. He knew why he was doing what he was doing. He was equipped by his Father to do what he was doing. There would be the opportunity for lots of distractions in a day in the life of Jesus. Early on in his ministry, he was famous. Everyone wanted to be around him or associated with him because of the Jewish misunderstanding of what it meant to be the Messiah. Jesus could not allow the perceptions of the people to distract him from his purpose. Prayer helped him to remain focused on his purpose throughout the day.
   • Preaching and casting out demons. Why doesn’t Mark place a spotlight here on the healing ministry of Jesus? Because the most important battle is the spiritual battle. How much of our focus in prayer is on the spiritual versus the physical?

3. How can I respond appropriately to this passage?

• Does my prayer life look like the prayer life of Jesus?
  • Am I sacrificing time in my day to spend significant time with the Lord?
  • Do I have a place where I can consistently get alone to talk to the Lord?
  • Am I consistently talking to the Lord, preparing my heart and mind for the details of my day?
  • Do I pray with expectation—believing the Lord can and will answer in his time according to his purpose?
  • As I pray, am I more concerned about God’s desires or my own?
  • How am I staying focused on living life for the Lord through daily prayer?
  • Does my prayer life spend more time on physical needs like health and healing or does my prayer life spend more time on the spiritual problems of this world and the people around me?
• Prayer is the expression of relationship with God.
  • Do you have personal relationship with the Lord?
  • Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord?
  • Have you turned from trusting in yourself and turned to the Lord for his forgiveness of sin?
  • Will you believe that Jesus is the Savior who died in your place on the cross and rose again to declare you not guilty if you will place your faith in him?
  • Will you surrender your self-rule to the loving Lordship of Christ?