35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. 36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. 37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. 38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. 39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. (Mark 1:35-39 KJV)
Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place
Early the next morning, long before daylight, Jesus went out to a solitary place to pray (Mark 1:35). Though he was God and worthy of prayer, he still prayed as a man—to be alone with his Father, setting an example of secret prayer. This was the morning after the Sabbath, the first day of the week, later sanctified by his resurrection. He prayed early, before others were awake, showing us to seek God when our spirits are most fresh. He gave the best part of the day to his Father.
He prayed in a quiet, solitary place—perhaps outside the town or in a garden or shed. Even though he was in no danger of distraction or pride, he still sought solitude, following his own teaching to pray in secret (Matthew 6:6). Those with the most public work must still find time to be alone with God.
The disciples went looking for him and found him at prayer (Mark 1:36-37). They told him that everyone was looking for him. They were pleased with his growing popularity and wanted him to stay in that place, likely because it was their own city, and people are naturally partial to familiar places.
But Jesus replied that they must go on to the nearby towns so he could preach there too, for that was why he came (Mark 1:38). He wasn’t meant to stay in one place but to go throughout the region doing good. As it says in Judges 5:11, even those in the villages will declare the righteous acts of the Lord. Christ remained focused on his mission, not distracted by pressure from friends or popularity. So he preached throughout Galilee in their synagogues and cast out demons (Mark 1:39). His teaching meant the downfall of Satan’s power.