JESUS PRAYS

Passage: Mark 1:35-39

Key verse: 35

NIV

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place(A)

35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.(B) 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”(C) 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues(D) and driving out demons.(E)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Preaches in Galilee

35 (A)And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and (B)there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, (C)“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 (D)that is why I came out.” 39 (E)And (F)he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Early in the morning (35)

Jesus' popularity grew. People came to him from early in the morning until late at night. He healed all who came. But he had come to do God's will, not the will of the crowds; so he got up early in the morning to pray. He prayed for himself, for his disciples and for the crowds. He spent time with the Father. And he listened. Some people say that a regular time of prayer is not necessary--but it was for Jesus. How much more do I need to pray!

2. That is why I have come (36-39)

Jesus' disciples were caught up in the pressure of the crowds. Simon Peter even came looking for Jesus--the crowds were waiting. Jesus prayed and found God's direction. He had not come just to heal the physically sick; he had come to preach the word. So he left the milling, demanding crowd to travel around in Galilee and teach the word of God in the synagogues.

Prayer: Lord, help me to meet you in prayer each morning--to pray for your sheep and to find direction and strength for myself. And help me to listen.

One Word: Jesus got up early to pray