Always Pray First

 Always Pray First

As believers, we know the importance of prayer in our daily lives. But how often do we actually put prayer into practice? In this post, we'll explore two scriptures that emphasize the importance of praying first.

Mark 1:35 - Jesus' Example

Mark 1:35 says, "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." (NIV)

Here, we see Jesus' example of prioritizing prayer. Even in the midst of a busy ministry, Jesus made time to pray. He didn't wait until the day got busy or until He had a spare moment. He got up early, before the sun rose, to spend time with His Father.

Psalm 5:3 - A Morning Prayer

Psalm 5:3 says, "In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly." (NIV)

This psalm emphasizes the importance of starting our day with prayer. The psalmist David says that he lays his requests before God in the morning and waits expectantly. This shows that David trusted God to hear his prayers and to answer them.

The Importance of Praying First

So, why is it important to pray first? Here are a few reasons:

Sets our priorities straight: When we pray first, we're acknowledging that God is our top priority.
Gives us direction: Prayer helps us to discern God's will and to make decisions that align with His plans.
Brings us peace: Prayer has a way of calming our minds and hearts, even in the midst of chaos.

Conclusion

As we reflect on these two scriptures, let's make a commitment to always pray first. Whether it's first thing in the morning or before making a big decision, let's prioritize prayer in our daily lives.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help us to make prayer a priority in our lives. Give us the discipline to pray first, whether it's in the morning or before making a big decision. We trust that You will hear our prayers and answer them according to Your will.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Credits:

Keith M. Craddock for leading our family Bible study on this topic
Meta AI for blog assistance