We live in a bustling world today that makes extreme demands on our time and energy. Our daily schedules are busy from the beginning of the day to the end. Even children find themselves having to schedule their days because they are so full of activities. It is a wonder we even find time to think clearly, much less to study our Bibles and pray to God. Little do we realize, Satan has had this same device in his bag of tricks for a long time (even in Jesus’ day), and the Lord had a simple but effective cure for it.

In Mark, chapter 6, verse 30, after Jesus sends the apostles out two by two to labor in evangelism, they return to the Master with a glowing report of what they have done and taught in His name. In the next verse, Jesus commands them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” This rest was needed because Mark goes on to record that they had been so busy, they had not even had time to eat (Mark 6:31).

Though this command was never fulfilled because of the thronging crowds who demanded Jesus’ attention, we should realize in our lives what Jesus had prescribed for His apostles—spiritual rest and solitude.

We have several instances recorded for us in which Jesus goes off by Himself to pray (Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:46; Luke 5:16; Luke 6:12; Luke 9:28). At other times, He takes some or all of the apostles with Him. Whatever the situation, the Lord understood the need for such time alone with His heavenly father in prayer.

While it is easy to forget, we must let our Lord’s example teach us the need for such time as well. As God’s children, we must schedule some down time to be alone with Him. We need to seek out a place where we can find quiet, solace, and peace. We need time alone to talk with our Father in Heaven and rest our weary minds. Time spent alone with God can only rejuvenate us and strengthen us. It will help us to recover from the days’ events and to prepare for the things that lie ahead.

While Satan wants us to think we will fall behind for taking such time, we can know for sure, the Great Physician knows best!