You’ve probably thought this before.
“I should pray more.”
Maybe even…
“I should wake up earlier and pray.”
But then morning comes.
You’re tired.
You hit snooze.
And the day just starts moving.
So when you read that Jesus got up early to pray…
it feels like something you should do.
But why?
What actually happens when you do this?
And is it really about the time… or something deeper?
Let’s see what the Scripture actually says.
READ THE VERSE (KJV)
“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”
Mark 1:35 (KJV)
SECTION: WHAT DOES “A SOLITARY PLACE” MEAN?
This isn’t just about being alone physically.
It’s about removing distraction.
Stepping away from noise.
From people.
From pressure.
Think about how your day usually starts.
Notifications.
Messages.
Things pulling your attention in different directions.
It’s hard to focus.
A solitary place is where none of that is competing.
The Bible says:
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet…”
Matthew 6:6 (KJV)
Not literally a closet.
But a place where it’s just you and God.
So let me ask you.
Do you ever give God your full attention… without distraction?
SECTION: WHAT IS REALLY BEING SAID HERE?
This verse isn’t just about early mornings.
It’s about priority.
Jesus had people looking for Him.
Needs around Him.
Pressure building.
But before stepping into all of that…
He stepped away to pray.
That’s important.
Because once the day starts…
everything pulls on you.
Your thoughts.
Your decisions.
Your reactions.
The Bible says:
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart… In all thy ways acknowledge him…”
Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV)
That starts before everything else begins.
So the real question is…
What sets the direction of your day?
SECTION: CONTEXT CHANGES EVERYTHING
Just before this verse, Jesus had been healing people.
Casting out demons.
Ministering to crowds.
It was intense.
Demanding.
And people were already looking for Him again.
A few verses later, they say:
“All men seek for thee.”
Mark 1:37 (KJV)
Everyone wanted something from Him.
But He didn’t start with people.
He started with God.
That changes how you see this.
This wasn’t optional.
It was necessary.
SECTION: THE CONNECTION MOST PEOPLE MISS
This connects with what Jesus said later:
“The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do…”
John 5:19 (KJV)
That means His actions came from connection.
Prayer wasn’t separate from His life.
It guided it.
That’s why He made time for it.
SECTION: WHERE THIS SHOWS UP IN REAL LIFE (BIBLE STORIES)
Look at Moses for a second.
He would step away from the camp to meet with God.
“And it came to pass, that every one which sought the Lord went out unto the tabernacle…”
Exodus 33:7 (KJV)
He didn’t stay in the middle of the noise.
He stepped out.
And that’s where direction came.
So ask yourself.
Are you trying to hear God in the middle of noise… or making space to listen?
Look at David.
Before major moments, he would seek God.
“Early will I seek thee…”
Psalm 63:1 (KJV)
Not because of a rule.
Because he needed direction.
Clarity.
So here’s the question.
Do you wait until things get overwhelming… or seek God before they do?
SECTION: LET’S BE HONEST
This is where it gets real.
Because mornings are hard.
You’re tired.
You feel rushed.
And it’s easy to say… “I’ll pray later.”
But later gets busy.
Distracted.
Pushed aside.
And before you know it… the day is gone.
The Bible says:
“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found…”
Isaiah 55:6 (KJV)
That takes intention.
It doesn’t just happen.
SECTION: WHAT ACTUALLY CHANGES WHEN YOU LIVE THIS
This verse shifts you from reacting to your day…
to being prepared for it.
Before this… your day controls you.
You respond to whatever comes.
Stress.
Decisions.
People.
After this… you’re grounded before it starts.
You’ve already stepped away.
Already connected.
Already centered.
That changes how you think.
How you respond.
How you handle pressure.
The Bible says:
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”
Psalm 27:1 (KJV)
That confidence comes from connection.
Not from circumstances.
OUTRO (NO PRAYER)
This isn’t about forcing yourself to wake up early just to check a box.
It’s about what happens when you make space for God before everything else begins.
Jesus did it for a reason.
Not because He had time.
But because He needed it.
So don’t just think about praying more.
Think about when.
Think about what’s competing for your attention.
And start making space.
Even if it’s small.
Because what you do first… shapes everything that follows.
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
