The scripture says in chapter 1 of Mark verse 35 in the early morning while it was still dark Jesus
got up left the house and went away to a secluded place and was praying there Jesus began his day
alone with God how many times have I mentioned that to you about starting the day with prayer and
getting along having a quiet time if you're going to be a follower of Jesus a follower
does what the leader does right well somebody says well I pray how often do you pray well
once in a while no if you are really a follower of Jesus prayer is a major part of your life
in fact how do you start the day off and living in this world without talking to God
and how do you go to sleep at night with perfect security without talking to God how do you face
the issues in life without prayer that is prayer should be a habit and not only a habit but a
very important part of our life. And early in the morning while it was still dark he arose
and he went and departed to a lonely place and he was praying there
Jesus he demonstrates for us that to be stirs of revival that even when the whole city is at our
door when there's a need at church there's a need at work there's a need with this group of friends
there's a need even over here everywhere people are pulling at us and tugging at us
and our schedules are busy and full and replete with things to do put first things first so that
we build margin into our lives so that early in the morning if that's the best time for you
what that symbolizes is priority wherever you need to put it in your life so that you have
prioritized intimate time with the father Jesus knew even if everybody is knocking at my door
I'm not going to let everybody else's expectations of me determine what I do with my time I'm going
to have some supernatural priorities I'm gonna put first things first and keep the things that
are most important to my father I'm gonna make sure those things are also most important to me
Mark 135 and in the morning long before daylight he got up and went out to a deserted place and
there he prayed so there's evidence all over the bible that Jesus first thing spent time with God
And so why was Jesus up early as the bible reminds us in several places up early before day
Because Jesus the son of God knew that he needed that time to be alone with this heavenly father
to listen to the father all of us none of us are in such a situation that we are so complete within
ourselves that we don't need God's direction all of us need to take time to listen to God
If I start my day with God he stays in the front of my mind all day it's like a
continuing conversation that gets started it lets God set the agenda it's let it lets him
set the the pace it puts God in control if I start just by giving the the first part of my day
to him somebody once said that God is your commander-in-chief
so don't forget your daily briefing you have to slow down because God is never in a hurry
and you can't hear God's voice if you're just rushing all the time you have to slow down to hear
what he wants to say to you that's why you have to get up a little bit earlier so you're not just
rushing into your day and you don't have time so you just find a quiet place you grab your bible
maybe a journal get a cup of coffee or tea or whatever you want in the morning and just go spend
a few minutes with the Lord here's what Jesus said about it in Matthew 6.
He said here's what I want you to do just find a quiet secluded place so you won't be tempted
to role play before God you're not going to try to put on airs or impress anybody he says
just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage and the focus will shift from you to God
and you will begin to sense his grace start with just a moment of prayer a simple moment that says
Lord here I am I'm ready I want to hear from you today would you just open my eyes open my ears
open my heart to whatever it is you want to say