IMITATE CHRIST: PRAY EARLY WHEN CALLED

by  Tammy Phillips
February 8, 2021

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. (Mark 1:35 NKJV)

Wonder why we awake between, 3AM and 6AM?  Pray-er, you know that the Holy Spirit often awakes you to pray at that same time.  According to Mark 1:35, Jesus set the example for us. The word morning in this scripture is the Greek word prōï, meaning the fourth watch of the night, from 3 o’clock until 6 o’clock in the morning.  It is the watch before daybreak.

Jesus was our example. 

1. He arose really early.
2. He took action and went.
3. He departed to a solitary place
4. He prayed.

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: (1 Peter 2:21 NKJV)

According to 1 Peter 2:21, we are called to follow in his steps.  He prayed early, we are called early follow his example in prayer.  I love the definition of the word, “example.”  It is the Greek word, hypogrammos, which means:  a writing copy, including all the letters of the alphabet, given to beginners as an aid in learning to draw them; a copy for imitation. Remember, how we learned to write?  By carefully imitating and following an example. Do you remember laboring to get your pencil to follow the exact lines of the letters laid out before you?  I do.  We spent hours and hours mastering it until it was finally a habit and came easily.    I also adore the Greek word for “follow” in this verse, epakoloutheō. It means to tread in one’s footsteps; to imitate one’s example.

I know he knew what He was doing.  The quiet solitude of the morning allows one to hear His gentle voice without the multitude of distractions the day brings.   Since we are called to imitate Him and follow in His footsteps, early to rise and pray, it is!  We should  find our solitary place and get to it.  These early morning meetings have changed the course of my life and my families.

I enCOURAGE you to follow Him, when He calls and let Psalm 5:3, be your declaration to our Lord:   My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up. (Psalm 5:3 NKJV)