Get up early to pray.
As followers of Christ, we are to lead by his perfect example, and one of the things we see is how much of a priority he made prayer. In the midst of healing the sick, casting out demons, teaching the will of God, constantly dealing with people who wanted to kill him and end his ministry, leading his disciples to help carry out the ministry after he’s gone from them, and, you know, changing the entire course of human history — he still made it an absolutely priority to spend alone time in prayer. We will never have thing going on in our lives that are more important than what Jesus was doing, and so we should follow his example.
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)
Waking up early to pray can be a transformative habit that not only strengthens your relationship with God but also centers your entire day around peace and purpose. I’ve personally found that starting my mornings in quiet reflection and prayer — much like Jesus did, as noted in Mark 1:35 — helps me navigate a busy life with greater calm and clarity. In the early morning stillness, distractions are minimal, allowing for focused prayer without interruptions. This time can be used to seek guidance, express gratitude, and ask for strength to face daily challenges. From my experience, setting a consistent alarm and creating a peaceful prayer space can make this practice easier to maintain. Moreover, getting up while it’s still dark gives you a precious window for solitude that is otherwise hard to find. It’s a sacred moment to align your will with God’s, which then influences how you interact with others throughout the day. Whether you face stress at work, family responsibilities, or spiritual doubts, beginning with prayer equips you to handle life’s difficulties with grace. If you’re new to this routine, start small by waking just 15-30 minutes earlier than usual and gradually increase the time as prayer becomes a more natural part of your morning. Using scripture passages like Mark 1:35 as inspiration can keep your motivation strong. Ultimately, following Jesus’ example to "get up early to pray" is about making God your priority even amid a hectic life. It’s a simple yet profound way to experience peace and purpose daily, reminding us that nothing in our lives should outrank our time with God.