Prayer is so important, I wanted to take another look at this Scripture from a slightly different angle………”Hi Honey, just thought I would call to say ‘hi’. I am leaving for the bank. How is your day?” ……This is a fairly normal daily occurrence for me and my wife. I call her on the phone every chance I get. Sometimes we joke and I tell her “Hi Honey, I am running to the bathroom and just thought I would call to say ‘hi’. How is your day?” Sometimes our busy lives can be so consuming and tiring that we have to take intentional moments to maintain the vital link of our relationship.
If you have been following our discussion here in the Gospel of Mark, you might have realized that Jesus has just spent a Sabbath in extreme busyness! He has been driving out evil spirits (Mark 1:21-28) and healing many people (Mark 1:29-34). He was probably very tired and exhausted, needing rest, yet what did He do here………he awoke early in the morning, found a quiet place (even though the disciples ultimately interrupted his time alone) and spent time in quiet prayer with the Father.
Why do I take the time to call my wife throughout the day? It’s as much for me as it is for us. It usually gives me a much needed respite from my busy day as well as it does the same for her (except sometimes I call her and our four grandsons are in the background vying for her attention). Often for one or both of us, it acts as a moment of restoration, giving us strength to continue on with our day. You see, we are deeply in love and care about each other.
It is vitally important that we carve out some time from our day, indeed, a few times a day to talk with Jesus…..it restores our strength to face the rest of the day and, at least to me, it helps maintain that vital link of love between me and my Savior. “Hi Jesus, this is me, I’m heading to bank and just wanted to say, “hi”. How’s your day? Mine has been tough. I need your strength, Lord <smile>!”
Mark 1:35-37 (TNIV)
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!”
Yes, it is often seems hard to find time in our busy lives to pray. However, my encouragement to you is to truly understand how important it is for us to maintain our relationship with God, indeed, with Jesus. In a similar fashion, when communicate with my wife, I often find a strength and sense of clarity as I return to the busyness of life. Hmmmmmm…..could it be the same with Jesus? I find myself more at peace and I certainly feel His grace when I take the time to spend one on one with Him.
Prayer is a Vital Link in our relationship with our Savior, just as communication is a vital link among spouses, friends, relatives, ….ahhhhh….yes……all relationships. My you carve out some time each day to communicate with your maker, even if it means getting up a little earlier or staying up a little later. May you feel His grace, His love and His strength abound in you each and every day! Prayer is a Vital Link!