Luke 5:15-16

Luke 5:15-16: “15 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.”

Understanding the need to be filled and aligned with God is more important to the minister than the work being done. You can’t give what you don’t have. Get away, pray, and be filled.

Jesus was constantly ministering to others. From sunup to sundown, He had His hand to the plow, faithfully working in the Father’s vineyard. The needs were endless—from discipling, to healing, to casting out demons, Jesus faced it all daily. And the more His fame spread, the greater the demands became. Yet there was one thing Jesus never neglected: He withdrew to desolate places and prayed (Luke 5:16). Getting alone with the Father was not optional; it was necessary. Jesus modeled for us the importance of withdrawing from the demands of ministry in order to commune with the Father and remain aligned with His will.

Do you understand the necessity of getting alone with God? Prayer is not only for your personal benefit; it prepares you to minister effectively to others. If you don’t regularly withdraw from the noise and realign your heart with God, you won’t be spiritually prepared for what is coming. If Jesus considered time alone with the Father essential, how much more should we? Get alone with God. Pray. Let Him realign your heart, renew your purpose, strengthen your faith, and fill you afresh so you are ready to be used whenever He calls. You can’t continually pour out if you never take time to be filled up. Get alone with God and pray!

Father, what a privilege it is to come boldly before the throne of grace. Draw us away from the distractions and demands around us and realign our hearts with Your will. Fill us afresh with the power of Your Spirit, that we might be effective witnesses for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.