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. (Mark 1:34-35)
Following Jesus’ time in prayer, the disciples told him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 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.” (Mark 1:37-38)
Jesus designated time alone in prayer and as a result, it could be conjectured, that Jesus’ vision for his day’s work or even so much as his life’s purpose was sharpened and redefined.
Prayer can sharpen our vision for the purpose of life, in general, and our day specifically.
I want that kind of prayer discipline. The setting aside of time and space to draw closer to His kingdom and converse with Him as face to face. In order for me to experience this type of prayer life I must purpose a few things:
- To go to bed on time so that I can wake up on time.
- To make preparations in advance to draw away with God to a desolate place. This could be the quiet of the dinning room before the children are awake or the still of the earth at dawn. Either way, preparations must be made so that responsibilities are not neglected.
- I must quiet my soul and have His word on hand to meditate on. Bringing along cards or the Bible to read aloud Scripture to meditate on God’s truth will provide another source for the Holy Spirit to speak to me as I aim to commune with Him in prayer.
This week our son, Joshua, has been praying aloud more with our family. The interesting thing about Joshy’s prayers is that he will pray with his eyes open as he thanks God for all that he sees, but then close his eyes as he makes his requests known to God. “Thank you God for rocking chairs, curtains, toys, this John Deer, trucks, and shirts. I pray God you give me more toys and make more shirts for Ernie because he doesn’t have anymore. In Jesus Name, Amen.”
How God must delight in the heart-felt thanksgiving of a little child!
This weekend, I want to slip away to a quite place alone and pray with eyes wide-open to all of God’s blessings before me. Then, in heart-felt petition make my requests known to God. Perhaps you will purpose and do the same?
Enjoy your weekend friends…giving thanks with eyes wide open.
*All photographs courtesy of my friend, Hannah F. What a blessing to receive these in my e-mail inbox this week! Thank you, Hannah!
