Have you taken much time for quiet reflection lately? In our church we are gearing up for a 24/7 Prayer Room, and it has some folks reflecting on how much time they spend in prayer.

Let’s look at Jesus’ example. In Mark 1:35-39 we find the following:

Mark 1:35-39

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.

I love Mark. He is a great storyteller. Here we are, in the first chapter, and it is already action packed. If you have time, you can read what comes before our passage for today. Jesus is out there, ministering, meeting people, healing folks, shushing demons; he is running pretty hard. Just before this early morning wake up call, he is at Peter’s house. He healed Peter’s mother-in-law, revealing himself to many. So many that people were bringing “all the sick and demon possessed” and it even says that “The whole town gathered at the door.” Jesus was pretty important. He had a job to do.

What do you think you would do if you were so important, so needed, that the whole town gathered at the door to meet you? What do we expect from Jesus? What did the disciples expect?

I’m guessing that the house had to have had a back door, because Jesus snuck out. While it was still dark, he left. And he didn’t just sit in the alley or the market. He went to a solitary place. They couldn’t find him. Why? He’d gone to pray. He needed a moment. Or an hour. Or however long it was. He needed to spend that time in solitude with his Father. He knew the demands. He was most likely exhausted. He probably fell into bed drained that night after all of the excitement of the day. He was a rising leader, after all. An up and coming star who only needed solitude and prayer. How fitting for our savior to demonstrate that when times are busy and we are working hard and life is draining, the one thing we need is solitude.

So, he finds a solitary place. And he prays. He did not allow the busy-ness of things to keep him from spending time with His father. Solitude and prayer served as a source of spiritual nourishment for Jesus. In the quiet moments before dawn, he found communion with God, seeking strength, guidance, and a deepening of His relationship with the Father.

This is a good example for us as believers. Jesus’ example highlights the importance of prioritizing personal time with God through prayer and solitude as a means of staying spiritually grounded and connected.

The practice of solitude allowed Jesus to discern the will of God and gain clarity about his mission. It provided him with the focus needed to understand the next steps in his ministry.

In the midst of a demanding and active ministry, Jesus took time to renew himself and prepare for the challenges ahead. Solitude provided a space for rejuvenation and preparation for the tasks and responsibilities he faced.

Jesus’ practice of solitude and prayer demonstrates the importance of balancing action with contemplation. We can’t have all one or the other. Some of us tend to prefer one way, but we can see that both contemplation and action go hand in hand. While he was actively engaged in preaching and ministry, he also recognized the need for moments of reflection and communion, and we would benefit to do the same.

Can you take some time today for solitude? Even if you only have five minutes, find yourself a solitary place for reflection and prayer. Maybe you don’t even need to say anything at all. Just be.