Mark 1:35

Prayer is a spiritual discipline which means that prayer takes effort and planning. It is work! If you leave prayer to chance, or only do it when you feel like it, you will never have a consistent, vibrant prayer life.  Just like you may have regularly scheduled important meetings at work or with family that you protect and do not let anything else interfere with, so we must do the same with our prayer time with God. Find your set time (and a set, quiet place) and write it into your schedule. Then show up! Maybe even show up without your phone. Then pray passionate, real prayers of surrender and intercession! 

PASSAGE: Mark 1:35 - "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed."

PAUSE: All of us need a quiet place. A special place that is removed from distractions and noise. Jesus practiced spiritual disciplines. When was the last time that you rose early in the morning to be with your Heavenly Father?

PRAYER: Father, I want to be more disciplined. As I pursue growth, allow me to find a special time and place to withdraw and be with you!