"And in the morning, rising up a great while
 before day, He (Jesus) went out, and departed into
 a solitary place, and there prayed." Mark 1:35

I had been having a lot of trouble with my knee.  The swelling was back again and my wife and I went to the local K-mart to find some medication to reduce the swelling.

We were in the health and beauty department (health for me, beauty for my wife) when we found some various medications that might meet my need.  I discovered one that seemed exactly what we wanted and, without looking up, asked, "What do you think about this one sweetie?"  There was no answer.  So, again without looking up, I asked, "What do you think about this one sweetie?"  Again, there was no answer, so I finally looked up.  My wife was nowhere to be seen, but there was this huge, rough looking bearded guy standing there looking at me like, "Who are you calling sweetie?!"

Aren't you glad that we don't have to go searching around to find God when we want to talk with Him?  God is accessible to us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  He's always there.  He is more faithful than the rising of the sun, more available than I was on Friday nights during high school and college (which was alot!).  Whether you are in the middle of a crisis or just want to say, "Hello," God is always around to listen. 

Prayer is what puts the power in the Christian life.  It's the fuel that we run on.  Find someone who has an active prayer time each day and you'll find someone who is walking with the Lord and experiencing a victorious life.  It's no coincidence that Jesus Himself was a man of prayer.  We find that Jesus prayed quite often.  He communed with God to seek direction and guidance, to intercede for Himself and others, to gain power and authority for miracles, to glorify the Father and so much more.  He prayed for friend and foe, disciples and enemies.  His prayers weren't empty words, but rather heartfelt conversation with His Father.  Prayer wasn't a duty or responsibility to Christ, but a necessity for His ministry and a privilege that He found great joy and peace in. 

Did Jesus have to pray?  After all, He is God.  Many have wondered, was He merely talking to Himself?  Why did Jesus pray?

I believe that Jesus prayed to leave us but another example to follow.  He prayed to show us the importance of an active prayer life.  The question is, are we following His example?

"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He (Jesus) went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." 

Sounds like a good place to get started today, doesn't it?
  
Have a "Wonderful DAY in Christ,"
Jimmy D. Brown
\o/ Praise Jesus!