Seeds for 08/20/2024 - Pause & Reflect - Mark 1:35
In this series on prayer and scripture, we have been following the acronym P.R.A.Y. as a guide for prayer. The P and R often stand for “Praise” and “Repent” but an alternate could be “Pause” and Reflect.” Sometimes, this is exactly what we need to do. This week we are looking at passages that speak to this important dynamic in prayer.
Scripture:
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.
Observation:
Today, once again, we have a simple and significant verse concerning a rhythm of pause and reflection. This verse is often cited by those in favor of an early morning prayer time. There are merits to the practice, of course. But let’s observe what it may have to say regarding our theme.
First, it does refer to the time of day—early morning, before sunrise. If nothing else, this points to Jesus’ intentionality to make time for prayer. When we make time by intentionally navigating our schedule, we safeguard time for reflective and unhurried or less hurried prayer.
Second, the verse refers to a solitary place. Jesus is not only intentional about making time for prayer. He is also intentional about making room without distractions. Community can aid us greatly in prayer. It can also distract us. Balancing solitude with community is critical. Jesus had a great deal of time with people—disciples, family, crowds, opponents, persons seeking healing, teaching, and miracles. He was deliberate about making room in solitude for time with His Heavenly Father.
Third, the point of his time alone, early in the morning, was prayer. Making space in time and location created room for prayer. The point of our pausing and reflecting is that we may do so within the context of prayer, making our pausing and reflecting a part of our praying and not a separate activity.
Application:
What challenges do you face in creating time and space for less hurried, less distracted prayer time, conducive to pausing and reflecting?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, help me, in some form or another, to make room in my prayer life for pause and reflection. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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