The instances of Christ's own personal praying we mean to take up later in a special study; but one instance given us in Mark is so much a direct lesson on prayer that we must notice it here. It is found in Mark 1:35.

      "And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose up and went out, and departed into a desert place, and there prayed." Here let us note (1) the circumstances; (2) the time and occasion; and (3) the place of this praying.

      1. It had been a full and busy day at Capernaum. At the synagogue (for it was the sabbath) He had taught and cast out an evil spirit from one who was possessed. Then, with James and John, He went into the house of Simon Peter and Andrew. There He healed Simon's wife's mother who lay sick of a fever. The word of this healing power spread over the countryside, and at even, when the sun was set, they brought to him all who were sick and all the demoniacs from all the neighborhood. "And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick" (Matthew tells us that He healed them all, Matt. 8:16) "and cast out many demons." How deep into the night His labor continued and how worn and exhausted He was when finally He found a little rest, we are not told; but we can easily surmise.

      2. But early in the morning, "a great while before day" He rose up and went out to pray. Clearly prayer meant more to Him than physical rest, however much the rest was needed. And why was prayer urgent at that particular time? Prayer is always urgent, if we but knew it. But sometimes there are special reasons.

      it was the rise of the first wave of popularity. "All are seeking thee," said Simon and the rest of the disciples. No doubt they were pleased and thrilled. But to the Lord Jesus that was an urge to prayer. On another occasion, when "great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed of their infirmities," it is written that "he withdrew himself in the deserts and prayed." (Luke 5:15, 16.) How great is the danger of popularity to the church, to the preacher, to every Christian! When a good, humble servant of the Lord sees the success of his efforts, and when men and women are pressing around him, thanking him, praising him, admiring him; influential and powerful friends are rallying to his support; newspapers are taking note of him and giving him high place and commendation--unless the grace of God powerfully upholds him, that man is as good as done for. The siren voice of popular acclaim will inevitably alienate his heart from undivided loyalty to his Master. You say that Jesus was in no such danger? But was He not tempted in all things [30] even as we are? It was but the renewal, in another form, of Satan's suggestion, "All these kingdoms will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me." If only God's servants today could recognize their peril in popularity and flee for refuge, wisdom, and strength to the throne of grace before they are enmeshed in the blandishments of the world's favor. But the Lord Jesus "departed into a desert place and there prayed." Then He said to His disciples, "Let us go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also; for to this end came I forth." (Mark 1:36-39.) This was the Divine guidance that came through humble prayer.

      Aside from the special occasion of this prayer, we must note the time when He so prayed. It was "in the morning, a great while before day." That is a good time to pray! The mind is fresh. The work of the day is before us, with all that may come with it. And indeed we know not what a day may bring forth. We need guidance for the coming day and protection; wisdom also and strength to stand. In the morning it is well to say, "Lord, keep thou the door of my lips"; and "keep thou my feet." "O Jehovah, in the morning shalt thou hear my voice; in the morning will I order my prayer unto thee, and will keep watch." And "in the morning shall my prayer come before thee." (Ps. 5:3; 88:13.) Were not these the words of the psalmist prophetic of the prayer-life of the Lord Jesus Christ?

      3. Now, as for the place where Jesus prayed. It was in a desert place, where He could be alone with God. To His disciples He had said, "Thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee" (Matt. 6:6). But He Himself had no chamber to which to retire, nor any door that He could shut. So He sought the wilderness where He might commune in solitude with His Father. "I pray all day long," say many good folk; "I pray when I am washing the dishes, when I clean the floors, when I attend my children," says a burdened mother; and "I pray at my work when I am busy in the store," says a working man. Now that is good, and only good. We should do that by all means. As a devout poet expressed it,

      Very true; and certainly our Lord knew bow to do that. But He, found it needful to get away from the multitudes, and from His disciples, to be alone with God. And do we not need that also? Can we not find a few moments, if we have not more time, when and where in privacy we call pour out our hearts before God? Let us [31] make, time, and seek the opportunity for private, secret prayer. It will pay us richly. Yea, and we need it! [32]

[CTOP 30-32]