...prayer and glorious interruptions...

“35 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37 When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ 38 He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ 39 And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons” Mark 1:35-39.

I love these verses for a number of reasons. First, it teaches me to pray every day, and not put it off. Notice that Jesus found a quiet place to pray. That is important. Pray away from iPhones and laptops and anything else that will interrupt you.

Second, notice that Jesus is, in fact, interrupted in His prayer. I have learned  during the years to see such interruptions as “glorious interruptions.” There are interruptions that come from God, I believe, rather than interruptions that come from my own casual distractions. Jesus recognizes that the four who came to find Him are the reasons why He came. Jesus is here to “proclaim the message” in words and in actions. The way Jesus lived was, in itself, the varied ways He proclaimed the gospel. And the same is true for each of us. Let God use you each day. He will surprise you, for sure. Be open to the people and opportunities the come your way from the Lord each day — and help the people who come into your life. But find time early in the day to go to your quiet place to pray.

God will use you when you get into this schedule. Give God use of His own ways and time to reach you and use you. Stay in daily prayer. While in prayer, be comfortable with mere quiet time in His presence. Keep your Scriptures open on your lap or on a table next to you. Let every occasion be different. That’s OK. And when someone pops into your life welcome them s from the Lord.

Learn to listen to interruptions that are from the Lord and those that are not from the Lord. Embrace those from the Lord and walk away from the other interruptions.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.

From the Bible:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” John 10:27-28.

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long” Psalm 45:4-5.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make straight your paths” Proverbs 3:5-6.