In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Mark 1:35 (NASB)

What would Jesus do?, we used to ask.

Verses like this one tell us plainly, so I always give them special attention and place. Anything which offers a pattern for the man Jesus, who walked the earth like me, draws me right in.

As I ponder this verse today, I hear the Spirit of the Father saying:

My son rose early in the morning, before the world was awake, to come sit with me. Before he knew what he would need in the day that lay before Him, he came to seek my strength. My wisdom. My plans. He brought an uncluttered heart and offered it for me to write my truth upon it.

What is prayer, but a meeting of our hearts?

I gave you a heart like mine, so you could know me, and I could know you.

I gave you my Spirit, so you could understand my thoughts as they form within your mind and spirit.

You don’t have to pray before dawn, but it is much easier to be still and perceive my thoughts when your world is quiet.

It greatly honors me when you come, and seek my thoughts. When you seek to know me. To understand me, and my ways.

I know it is not easy to sit still and wait for your unseen Father to make His Presence known. My son, who lived like you on the earth, had to learn to do that just like you.

I don’t ask you to wait for me just as an exercise in patience — though you could always use more of that. I ask you to wait for me because in the waiting, the chaos of your mind settles.

Frankly, it takes a while for you to be ready for me. To stop thinking of all the things you could do to rescue yourself.

To face your feelings, knowing they will be fully exposed in the light of my presence.

To let all your questions bubble up to the surface: the ones you avoid and gladly bury under the busy-ness of daily life.

Of course, I am with you always; but you are not always with me. Not all of you. When I answer your heart’s cry, I want every distraction and intrusive thought so faint that all your senses will be ready for me, and the truth I bring, to set you free.

Most of all, I want no one and nothing else in the room, just you and me.

People often say they have trouble seeing and hearing the Lord. Stillness, quietness, and seclusion is the answer. Seeing the Lord begins with getting alone with Him, stepping away from every distraction, and sending the signal, “I’m only here for you, Father. You are all that matters in this moment. I want to know you more.”

Jeremiah 29:11-14 says,

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.”

Believe, beloved of God. Believe, and go to Him.