Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
SUNDAY, February 5 5 Epiphany
Mark 1:29-39. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.
Jesus is going about his ministry of healing the sick, exorcising demons, preaching, teaching, and praying.
I have often wondered how Jesus prayed. Scripture tells us that he went to a deserted, lonely place. Why a deserted place? Why pray alone instead of with everyone in Simon’s house? Perhaps Jesus needed to find some peace away from all the commotion of a house full of guests.
Jesus was no different from us in this regard. He sought a private and peaceful place to pray, a place to collect his thoughts and find inner peace through prayer.
It matters not whether prayer is structured or not, formal or informal. It matters only that we talk with God and go off at times to a special place. It matters not what you are doing or where you are when you pray. What is important is that you talk with God at the necessary moment. Life is better when one prays often. “Pray without ceasing,” Saint Paul says (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
PRAY for The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Polynesia and the Diocese of Aotearoa
Ps 147:1-12, 21c; Isaiah 40:21-31; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23
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