Why did Jesus, true God and true man, need to pray? And why must we? Here are two reasons...

[Michie]

In the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35)

In the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark, the evangelist provides us with a window into what a day in the life of Jesus looks like. As one can imagine, it’s quite busy. St. Mark records that after leaving the synagogue where he has cast out an evil spirit (Mk 1:25), Jesus enters the home of Simon, whose mother-in-law is lying in bed sick with a fever. Jesus immediately comes to her, takes her by the hand, and heals her. Shortly after we are told that the people of the area “brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole town was gathered together about the door” (Mark 1:32-33). Despite attending to the multitudes, healing the sick, and exorcising demons, Jesus’ apostolic work is not finished. The next day we are told that Jesus is preparing to move on to the surrounding towns to preach, and, one would assume, continue healing the sick and casting out evil spirits.

Yet despite all this busyness and overwhelming need, we are told that Jesus, “In the morning, a great while before day…rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed” (Mark 1:35). How mysterious and beautiful is this verse and the reality that it signifies? Yet also, how strange it is. Why would the Second Person of the Holy Trinity need to pray? Why would he choose to step away for a time of solitary prayer, when it is very clear that so many people are in desperate need of him? The answer, I believe is twofold.

First, Jesus knows that the entire universe is not only in the hands of the Father but more importantly, it is in the Father’s heart. Jesus will reference the Father’s tender care for all of his children and his own trust and faith in the Father’s goodness later in the Gospel when he says, “Do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on…your Father knows that you need them all” (Matthew 6:25:32). Is Jesus dismissing the importance and necessity of apostolic work? Is he advocating merely a passive approach regarding the necessities of life, both for ourselves and others? Of course not, but what Jesus is reminding us of is an important truth that is meant to serve as the foundation for both our earthly life and ministry and our spiritual life.

The truth is this: the Father is always caring and providing for us in every moment of life.

Continued below.

The Necessity of Solitary Prayer - SpiritualDirection.com

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