It was Still Dark When He Went Out

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. [Mark 1.35]

I wonder why he had to go out of the house and go to a remote place. "Solitary place," says the NIV, which means secluded or unfrequented. No people there except Jesus. Waking up early and praying while it's still dark is understandable. A lot of us do that. But why go out? What's wrong with praying in the house?

Photo by Carolina Pimenta on Unsplash.

And why did the Holy Spirit move Mark, the Gospel writer, to record that in his Gospel? Why have it written for generations to read? Everything that happens--or God does or allows--is for a purpose, and this scenario is no exception. I believe it's important to note--and to see--how Jesus went out and looked for a solitary place to pray. He could've just stayed in the house to pray but he didn't. 

He Went Out

Jesus literally went out. We don't have to literally do so, too. But we need to "go out" in the spirit and leave behind all concerns "at home," getting away from it all. We have to be lost to the world and escape headlong to the throne room of God, into His darkness, deep into His quiet presence. We need to learn how to turn off everything in the earthly realm (without having to really leave our house at dawn, especially not in this pandemic) and be in His hiding place all at once.

“The LORD has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud;" [1 Kings 8.12]

My beloved calls to me, “Arise, my darling. Come away with me, my beautiful one." [Song of Solomon 2.10]

Solitary Place 

The Father loves to watch everything done for him in secret. Exclusively for his eyes. He is jealous when you parade it in public for everyone to see. And he wants you all to himself without interruption. I once failed to pay attention to what God was telling me. So he sent me a "thorn in the flesh" to keep me glued to my bed, unable to move a single inch without getting dizzy, weak and gasping for air. It was a mysterious illness that puzzled even doctors because all my test results came out normal.

When finally the Lord had me all to himself (imprisoned in my bed and room), he pointed to an old book gathering dust in my bookshelf. He'd been wanting me to read it. So I had ample time reading the book slowly but surely, seeing things he'd been wanting me to see, sealed words and "inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell." I lay in my bed "sick" for some 6 months, and all I could do was read the book and hear him speak.

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Where He Prayed

In another scene, we see Jesus excited to send the disciples ahead to the other side by boat and went up a mountain by himself. Again, in a solitary place. He had just performed an astounding miracle of feeding 5,000 men out of a few small bread and fish--which no doubt was super exciting to see. But Jesus appeared more excited in what was about to take place--he'd take a break with his Father.

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. [Matthew 14]

There's tremendous power when you pray in private, doing it in secret with the Father, as Jesus taught his disciples to "go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." He made it so private that he had to get rid of all the people and his disciples and climb up a mountainside and there pray.

How He Prayed

And there, he just relaxed and talked with the Father casually. Orderly, patterned and programmed prayer is for the religious (especially one that is read from a paper), designed for ritualistic worship and pleasing people--because you're being watched in public. It is impressive but zero in spiritual power. "They love to pray standing in the synagogues and on street corners to be seen by people." It's also what they teach about prayer following the acronym ACTS--Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. Religion is fond of doing that. 

When Jesus needed a miracle to feed the 5,000, all he did was look up and say "Thanks!" No ACTS prayer. And so with his other prayers for miracles. Publicly, he simply gave the Father short "signal" prayers, cues that motioned the timing  or commencement of a miracle. But in his quiet times with HIM, Jesus spent hours and even whole nights just enjoying talking with his Father. And he made sure that it was without interruption.

In the Spirit

Today, we can even do more than what Jesus did, "because I go to the Father," he said once. Moreover, true worshipers (and prayerful individuals) worship God in spirit and in truth (place is irrelevant, Jesus added). So, anywhere you are, you can enjoy "solitary places" you can go out to and talk with the Father at length--even if you're stuck in traffic, busy at the office, talking with someone, cooking, doing laundry or doing anything. While busy in the earthly realm, you can "come away" with the King to his Kingdom orchards and gardens, and then in his throne room, spending grand times with HIM in eternity.

You want to experience this? First, you need to surrender your life totally to HIM.

Surrendering to Jesus 

Ask forgiveness and repent of your sins. Believe God's forgiveness. It is promised in the bible. Receive Jesus Christ into your heart as your sole Savior and Lord. Then be assured of heaven, not because of anything you have or do (not your good deeds or religion or church), but because of God's grace and mercy through Jesus Christ. In Jesus alone is salvation. 

Jesus is: “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” [Acts 4] 

Surrender to Him by intently studying the bible daily (ask guidance from the Holy Spirit) and applying in life everything you learn. And then pray that God lead you to the right person who'd disciple you, one who is totally surrendered to Jesus and living His words in the bible.