Christ the Prayerful Warrior

The importance of prayer in the Christian life cannot be overstated. Mark's gospel does not contain any version of the Lord's instruction on prayer (e.g. The Lord's Prayer). Instead, prayer is casually inserted in between Christ's movement and activities.

When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city had gathered at the door. And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.

In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and *said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” He *said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.” And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons. - Mark 1:32-39

Christ's time alone comes on the heels of a long evening. Mark insinuates that people came to Jesus and stayed to receive healing late into the night. Christ then woke up early for prayer. And when His disciples find Him, He heads off to a new set of towns to minister there. Mark closes off this section by saying Christ did this in synagogues throughout the area. A pattern of ministry, prayer, and more ministry is established.

Christ's time alone with the Father was in preparation for more ministry. It was sustaining. But not to proceed in selfish endeavors. Prayer, ultimately, calls us outside ourselves.