READING: Mark 1:14-15, Matthew 4:12-17, Luke 3:23, John 4:46-54, Luke 4:16-30, Mark 1:16-20, Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:21-28, Luke 4:31-37, Mark 1:29-34, Matthew 8:14-17, Luke 4:38-41, Mark 1:35-39, Luke 4:42-44, Matthew 4:23-25
Very early in the morning.
While it was still dark, in fact.
In a deserted place.
“And there He was praying” (Mark 1:35).
The crowds kept seeking Him . . . but still He prioritized being with the Father in prayer.
We have so much to learn from Jesus. Needs surrounded Him. Cries of anguish surely echoed in His head. We know He grieved over the lostness of the city of Jerusalem. Still, He had His deserted place to meet with the Father. He prayed, prayed some more, kept on praying—and taught His disciples to do the same.
I pray it is our desire today that others might remember us with this same description: “And there he [or she] was praying.” May God let it be!
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How likely are others to find you praying?
DAILY PRAYER: “Father, teach me to pray like Jesus prayed.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Luke 5:1-11, Mark 1:40-45, Matthew 8:1-4, Luke 5:12-16, Mark 2:1-12, Matthew 9:1-8, Luke 5:17-26, Mark 2:13-17, Matthew 9:9-13, Luke 5:27-32, Mark 2:18-22, Matthew 9:14-17, Luke 5:33-39