Today’s Message

Date:               March 5, 2006

Speaker:          Pastor Steven Thomas

Title:                When Do You Pray?

Text:                Mark 1:35-39

35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Introduction:  The words pray, prayed, or prayer occur 46 times in the four Gospels to describe Jesus’ practice or teaching on the subject.  Prayer played a crucial role in his life and work.  He insisted that his disciples follow his example.

Today’s take-home truth:  Jesus was a man of prayer.  From him we learn to:

I.          Start each day with prayer.  35a

II.        Spend time in prayer without distraction.  35b

III.       Find strength to face difficulty through prayer.  36

IV.       Prepare for ministry with prayer.  37-38