Mark 1:12-27
The congregation was surprised at his sermon because he spoke as an authority and didn’t try to prove his points by quoting others-quite unlike what they were used to hearing! (Mark 1:22, TLB).

Jesus spoke as One with authority because His words were backed by the power of God. Clearly, this power was
received during His time of fellowship with God. Another truth about prayer is that prayer is a time of contacting
the power of God and receiving His anointing to do the work of the ministry; to live right here on earth. It is a time of drawing life from the God of life. It is a time for divine empowerment.

Paul advised us to be filled with the Spirit always (Ephesians 5:18). How can we be filled with the Spirit if we do not spend time at prayer and the reading of the word of God? It is through praying in the Holy Ghost and asking God to fill us afresh that we received fresh grace and anointing to serve and live right.

Every assignment requires a new anointing and grace. Jesus went to the wilderness, but He came back in the power of the Holy Ghost. If He prayed and spent time with God to be filled to fulfill His purpose on earth, then you and I cannot cut corners. We must follow His pattern because He is our example.

Streeter writes, “If Christ Himself needed to retire from time to time to the mountain-top to pray, lesser men need
not be ashamed to acknowledge that necessity”. This he said based on Mark 1:35. We need to pray too. Shalom.

Your Turn

• Pray about the challenges you are facing right now.
• Pray about your unpaid bills.
• Pray about the economy and the coming elections.

Song: Anointing, fall on me.

Further Reading: Luke 4:1-15.