“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. Simon and his companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else to the nearby villages so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’”
~ Mark 1: 35 – 38
Jesus had a daily prayer custom of getting up very early to commune with His Father. This was a spiritual discipline that contributed to the success of His amazing ministry of three and half years. He is our role model, so you should imitate Him.
However, no spiritual discipline comes easy. Acquiring powerful spiritual disciplines can be very tough. You might know exactly what to do, but can you do it all by yourself?
Seek the help of the Holy Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you cultivate the habit of waking up by 4a.m. every day to pray. It’s not something that you can just do by your willpower. If you attempt to do it by your human strength, you will get frustrated.
The way to go is by first being willing to do it, and then open to the help of the Holy Spirit. That’s how you cultivate spiritual disciplines.
You put the spiritual discipline you desire to cultivate in your mind as a vision; as a goal. Then you ask the Holy Spirit to help you. You open up your heart to the Holy Spirit, and tell the Holy Spirit, “Help me Lord. I can’t do it by myself, but I want to do it. I have seen the value in it; I have seen its importance. Help me Lord to cultivate this spiritual discipline. Help me to cultivate this habit.”
As you express that desire to the Holy Spirit, as you talk to Him about it, the grace to do it begins to come from Him. That’s something He can do. And He will do it for you.
Amen.
Memory Verse:
Mark 1:35
“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.”Prayer:
Holy Spirit, Please help me to acquire this spiritual discipline of prayer. I can’t do it by myself, but I want to do it. I have seen the value in it; I have seen its importance. Help me Lord to cultivate this habit, in Jesus’ name.
Amen.