Matthew 1.35-39

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!”
³⁸ Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” ³⁹ So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. (Mark 1:35–39, NIV)

Someone once said the greatest single argument in favor of prayer is this: Jesus prayed.

Thought Questions:

How does the start of Jesus’ day compare to the typical start of your day? In what ways might you make your day more like Jesus’?

What do you sense Simon’s thinking was in trying to find Jesus? What was most important to him? What was most important to Jesus?

How are prayer and “preaching” related? What might you pray to better help you share the message of Jesus with others?