"I just don't have enough time." Many of us live busy, complicated, cram-packed lives. We don't have time for everything. Something has to be left out. Unfortunately, it is often spiritual things that get dropped from our schedule.

Jesus was extremely busy in the early part of His ministry. While in Capernaum "His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee" (Mark 1:28). One evening, after the sun had set, the "whole city was gathered together at the door" where Jesus was staying and He healed many people (vs. 32-34). We are not told how long this lasted, but it had to go well into the night.

Notice the following verse: "Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed" (v. 35).

Jesus knew the crowds would be returning and that people would once again be making demands of His time. Rather than get physical rest, He woke up before the beginning of the day, looked for a place where He would not be disturbed, and prayed.

If our Lord placed such a high value on prayer, shouldn't we do the same?

There is a time and a place for public prayer. However, Jesus also teaches us to find that secret place where we can be alone with God in prayer (Matt. 6:6). Not only do we need to find the place to be alone with God, we also need to make the time to be alone with God in prayer. Would we set our alarm a little earlier to make the time for prayer? Would we turn off the TV and shut down the devices connecting us to social media to make time for prayer? Would we sacrifice time with our recreation and hobbies to pray? God is waiting to hear from us.