“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed”
(Mark 1:35, KJV)
We sometimes look upon the whole monastic movement of historic Christianity as an aberrant form of the faith, and in many respects this is accurate (see 1 Tim. 4:1-8). However, there is something spiritually profound about spending personal time alone with God with disciplined regularity (see Matt. 6:6).  The Lord gives spiritual strength to the spiritually seeking. David said, “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (1 Chron. 16:11).
It is this strength through solitude that Jesus models for us:
1.                  Matt. 4:1-11     When preparing for public ministry
2.                  Matt. 14:13      Upon news of the death of John
3.                  Matt. 14:23      When pressed by the crowds
4.                  Lk. 6:12-13      Before choosing the twelve
5.                  Jn. 6:14-15       When confronted with others’ agenda
Psalm 46:10 still remains significant:
“Be still and know that I am God”
Be still and know
Be still
Be
-Robert M. Housby
GREAT SONGS OF THE CHURCH
(Devotional in Prayer)
“…praying at all times in the Spirit with all prayer and supplication…â€
(Ephesians 6:18)
E.M. Bounds wrote, “Prayer links human weakness with the power of the over-coming Son†(The Possibilities of Prayer). Prayer, for the Christian, is a privilege. It is founded upon the promises and precepts of Scripture, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…†(Ephesians 3:20). And, “pray without ceasing†(1 Thessalonians 5:17). And, again, “First, of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” (1 Timothy 2:1).
The question, “Did you think to pray?†is a humble reminder that one would pray. To be devotionally committed to God through Christ in prayer is but an excursion through this life hand in hand with one’s Creator and Redeemer. We say that it is a privilege because non-Christians, the unbaptized or nominal backslider, will not come around to such a devotional approach to life. But, to the faithful, the hour of prayer is always at hand; the act of prayer is always a blessing; and the life of prayer is always about a relationship with one’s Lord.
There may be something for which you need to pray right now. May you be informed that the God of heaven hears prayer (1 John 5:14,15).
– Robert M. Housby