Why Pray?

“While it was still night, way before dawn, he got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed. Simon and those with him went looking for him. They found him and said, “Everybody’s looking for you.” Mark 1: 35-42

Imagine Jesus waking up when it was still dark.  He tried to be really quiet as he put on his clothes for the day.  He had memorized where the little end table was in the living room, so he wouldn’t bump into it while everyone was sleeping.  Jesus knew that he needed God.  He was committed to making time to pull away from all the busyness of life.  He probably went out by a tree and talked to God as the sun rose.

The disciples, though, had a different story.  They were in panic mode.  They couldn’t find Jesus.  Simon had divided them into search groups, and they set out to find him.  When they finally found him, they most likely didn’t understand what He was doing.  How in the world did Jesus have time to go pray when people needed Him?  But Jesus had a different perspective.  He understood that people needed him.  So, how could He not pray?

^38-39Jesus said, “Let’s go to the rest of the villages so I can preach there also. This is why I’ve come.” He went to their meeting places all through Galilee, preaching and throwing out the demons.

⁴⁰A leper came to him, begging on his knees, “If you want to, you can cleanse me.”

Jesus probably would not have had to pray, but He obviously wanted to pray.  He wasn’t trying to fulfill some religious obligation, but He prayed because He had a relationship with God.  As Jesus took time to pray, he had clarity in his mission and effectively communicated that to those around him.  He also was prepared to reach out and touch people.

If you flip the coin, step into the leper’s shoes.  He had been an outcast for years.  The doctors had written him off as hopeless.  He had lived outside of the city and never came into contact with “normal” people.  People didn’t want his disease, so it translated into not wanting the leper.  Yet, he had heard about Jesus.  The leper knew that Jesus could heal him.  Maybe Jesus had healed his friend.  Instead of asking if Jesus was able, the leper asked Jesus if he wanted to heal him.

^41-42Deeply moved, Jesus put out his hand, touched him, and said, “I want to. Be clean.” Then and there the leprosy was gone, his skin smooth and healthy.

The power of prayer prepared Jesus for this moment by touching Jesus’ heart.  Jesus was overcome with compassion for this leper.  Instead of saying yes and walking away, Jesus touched the leper.  The significance of Jesus touching him is that people did not touch lepers.  Since the disease was so contagious, people were not willing to risk their own health. Jesus took the risk by touching the leper.  The result was that the leper was healed.

Through the eyes of the leper, I don’t know if it was more surprising that Jesus touched him or that he was healed.  Imagine being an outcast and your fate had been sealed.  He didn’t count on meeting Jesus, but meeting Jesus changed everything. It not only healed his skin; it gave him a second chance at life.

The unique link between Jesus making time to pray and the healing of the leper is noteworthy.  Author E.M. Bounds stated, ” A desire for God that cannot break the chains of sleep is a weak thing and will do little good for God.”  If Jesus was not hindered by sleep or a busy schedule, it is worth considering that time to pray is a must.  We cannot anticipate all of the people God wants to bring into our lives to touch, encourage and uplift.  However, when we pray, we become prepared for those moments.

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