March 29. Communion with God
J.R. Miller emphasizes the necessity of intentional, solitary communion with God as modeled by Jesus, highlighting that true spiritual blessing requires dedicated time for prayer and meditation.
In this devotional sermon, J.R. Miller explores the vital practice of communion with God through prayer, modeled perfectly by Jesus Christ. Miller challenges believers to overcome common excuses and prioritize private, solitary prayer as essential for spiritual growth and blessing. Drawing from Mark 1:35, he emphasizes that true communion with God requires intentional time set apart from the busyness of life.
Text
"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." Mark 1:35
Jesus would always find time for prayer — or make time for it. If His days were full of excitement and toil — He would take time out of His sleep for communing with God. At least He never allowed Himself to be robbed of His hours of devotion.
There are some Christians who think they are excused from prayer and meditation in secret — because they are so busy. Their work presses them so in the morning — that they cannot possibly get time to pray. Their cares occupy them so all day — that they do not find one quiet moment to go alone with God. In the evening — there are so many social or other engagements, meetings, societies, parties; or they are so tired, that prayer is crowded out. The example of Christ speaks its solemn rebuke of all such trifling. We must find time for communion with God — or God will not find time to bless us!
There are some people, also, who claim that they can pray and commune with God, just as well in one public as in private. They do their praying while they walk about, and while they work. They see no use in going apart from others, to pray. Surely if anyone could pray well in a crowd or while engaged in work — Jesus could. No doubt He did hold communion with His Father even in His busiest hours — but this did not meet all the needs and longings of His soul. He left the crowd, left even His own disciples — and retired into places where no eye but God\
Sermon Outline
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I. The Example of Christ
- Jesus prioritized prayer even in busy times
- He rose early to seek solitary communion
- His example rebukes neglect of private prayer
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II. The Excuses Christians Make
- Busyness as a reason to skip prayer
- Social and work engagements crowd out devotion
- Tiredness should not prevent seeking God
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III. The Importance of Solitude in Prayer
- Public prayer cannot replace private communion
- Jesus withdrew from crowds to pray
- Solitude meets the soul’s deeper spiritual needs
Key Quotes
“Jesus would always find time for prayer â€" or make time for it.” — J.R. Miller
“We must find time for communion with God â€" or God will not find time to bless us!” — J.R. Miller
“He left the crowd, left even His own disciples â€" and retired into places where no eye but God could see Him.” — J.R. Miller
Application Points
- Set aside a specific time each day for solitary prayer, following Jesus’ example.
- Resist the temptation to let busyness crowd out your time with God.
- Seek quiet and solitude regularly to deepen your spiritual communion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jesus pray early in the morning?
Jesus prayed early to ensure uninterrupted time with God, demonstrating the importance of prioritizing prayer.
Can prayer in public replace private prayer?
No, while public prayer is valuable, private, solitary prayer meets deeper spiritual needs that public prayer cannot.
What excuses do people use to avoid prayer?
Common excuses include busyness, social engagements, work pressures, and tiredness.
Why is solitude important for prayer?
Solitude allows believers to focus fully on God without distractions, fostering a deeper communion.
How does this sermon encourage believers?
It challenges believers to prioritize daily, intentional time alone with God despite life's demands.