In Mark 1:35 we read this about Jesus: “Now in the morning, having risen a long time before daylight, He went out an departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” In its context, this a remarkable thing that Jesus did. In the verses just before this, we read that Jesus had just put in an extremely full day and evening of ministry in Capernaum, teaching, preaching, healing, and casting out demons. It would be an exhausting schedule for anyone. And after just a very short time of rest, Jesus got up before daylight to go out and pray to the heavenly Father. We are not told what Jesus prayed during those early hours, but what happens next is very instructive.
Simon Peter and others came looking for Jesus. When they found Him, they told Him that everyone was looking for Him. This is no surprise, because the day before He spent the day reaching people, healing those that were sick, and they wanted to see and experience more of His power and authority and compassion. What is surprising was Jesus’ response. In Mark 1:38 Jesus said “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”
How did Jesus know He was not to stay in Capernaum, and He was to go elsewhere? The Father told Him when He was up early praying and getting instruction from the Father! The Father reminded Jesus He was sent to do the will of the Father, and the Father clearly set before a bigger job than just the external needs of the people in Capernaum. I am not saying that their needs were not important, because they are. The neediness of the people around us will always press in on anyone being used of God. In Matt. 14:14 we are told that Jesus was moved to compassion by the needs He saw, and He ministered to the crowds everywhere He went. His example showed continually that people’s needs were met as He obeyed the Father, but He did not let those needs side track Him from His larger assignment.
In the same way, our time alone with God in prayer will keep us from getting sidetracked from His will for our lives, and will give us confidence to remain faithful to God’s assignment when other people interrupt and try to get us on their own agenda.
Part of the Father’s will for Jesus was to give Him 12 men as apostles that He could teach the things of God. Jesus spoke of these men to the Father in John 17:6 “the men whom You have given Me, they were Yours, You gave them to Me.” How did Jesus know that these particular men had been given to Him by the Father? Luke 6:12 tells us that on the night before He selected these men, He spent the whole night in prayer to God. That is how important this decision was to Him. During that night of prayer, the Father showed Jesus exactly which 12 men to select.
Jesus called to prayer so the Father could let Him know what He was about to do. The Father was about to give Him the men who were to be the foundation upon which God would build His church (Eph. 2:20) and reach out and touch the world with His salvation. Only the understanding from the Father in prayer, could prepare Jesus for these men and how He was to teach them.
In the same way that the Father instructed the Son, He wants to teach us as well. Have you been willing to spend in prayer at the front end of every assignment in order to get God’s perspective and instruction? When was the last time you spent all night in prayer to receive the wisdom for God for your life?