Taking Time to Pray

 Mark 1: 29-39

Jesus Heals Many

²⁹ As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. ³⁰ Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. ³¹ So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

³² That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. ³³ The whole town gathered at the door, ³⁴ and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place

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. 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.” ³⁹ So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

These two scenes come up again and yet never seem to wear out from over-exposure, but always  have some relevance to our current situation.  We see Jesus the Healer, working overtime, not only for family, but for ALL who came to him.  After what must have been a tiring day, he's up early,  before dawn, for quiet prayer, which is interrupted by the call to heal and preach.  Jesus does not complain, but declares that this is why he came.  This was his vocation, and later, as we know, took him to his death and resurrection.

How often do I feel overwhelmed with demands, some of which tax me to the limit, or the never-ending "to do list"?  Besides my personal agenda,  these turbulent times, be they world-wide, or national, have a draining effect on me, even if subtly.  In the midst of all this, do I still take time, even if I  have to rise early, to devote myself to quiet prayer as Jesus did?  If don't, how can I expect to keep afloat with the waves battering me on all sides?

Bro. Rene