Disconnect to Pray
Monday, August 7
Disconnect to Pray
The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness. Mark 1:12
In the New Testament Mark 1:12 it says ‘The Spirit compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness.’ Here we see even Jesus disconnected from the world to fast and pray. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke speak of Jesus in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights. They also describe other times when Jesus pulled away from the demands of the crowds, His ministry, and even His closest friends to pray.
We realize that we, too, need to pull away from the things of the world and fix our focus on God. The things of the world can certainly include more than just food. In fact, in our modern world, it is more likely to be television, movies, social media, cell phones, and the internet that keep us “tuned in” to the world. None of these things are wrong in and of themselves, but they can become avenues for a mental and spiritual “crowd” to gather around us and drown out the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit. When we fill our souls up with all those things only, we can find ourselves disconnecting from God.
Let’s ask ourselves today:
Do I wake up to distractions?
Can I make more time to connect with God to nourish my body and soul?
What do I need to deny myself of so that this can be a powerful time in my life?
I encourage you to take time to pray and read God’s Word during the time you would normally do what you are fasting from. God will honor your heart and commitment.
Prayer for today: Lord, create in me a spiritual hunger that I have never known. Increase my thirst for righteousness, for purity, for holiness, for You! Break the power of sin and worldly habits that keep me from You. Pour Your cleansing, living water through me and make me a vessel that You can use to refresh others. Make me an instrument of Your healing and compassion. Use me in Your service. Help me to remember the brevity of my life and to store up treasures in Heaven. Amen.