"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).

Jesus didn't just pray as suited his convenience - he went out of his way to pray, and to pray intently. It wasn't just the night before his crucifixion that he did so either. He prayed this way from the very beginning of the gospel record. What was produced by such praying of Jesus? Examine his life for the answer to that question. Then look at your own manner of prayer in your life. Do you only pray a few words here and there, as routine and convenience dictates, or do you ever go out of your way, to a solitary place to pray? Do you ever sacrifice time, activities, and even sleep for the sake of prayer? In other words, what is your level of dedication to prayer? May we all look to Jesus as the ultimate example for how we should pray.