Luke 5:16

The duty of private and solitary prayer is not more strictly enjoined by our Saviour's command, than it is recommended to us by his example.

Observe, 1. The duty which our holy Lord performed: prayer. We have much more business with God in prayer than Christ had; he had no sins to be humbled for, nor beg pardon of; no need to pray for any sanctifying habits of grace, the Holy Spirit being given to him without measure; yet did our holy Lord spend much of his time in prayer; he took delight in paying this homage to his heavenly Father.

Observe, 2. What kind of prayer our Lord did eminently delight in: it was solitary and private prayer. He often went alone, even out of the hearing of his own disciples. The company of our best friends is not always seasonable nor acceptable. There are times and seasons when. Christian would not be willing that his dearest relations upon earth should hear that conversation which passes between him and his God.

Observe, 3. The place our Lord withdraws to for private prayer; it is the desert; he withdrew into the wilderness and prayed, both to avoid ostentation, and also to enjoy communion with his Father. The modest Bridegroom of his church, says St. Bernard, will not impart himself so freely to his spouse before company. That our Saviour rose up. great while before day, and went into this desert place to pray. Mark 1:35

Teaching us, that the morning is the fit season, yea, the best of seasons, for private duties; now are our spirits freshest, and our spirits freest, before the distractions of the day break is upon us. It is certainly much better to go from prayer to business, than from business to prayer.

Note lastly, that our blessed Saviour had no idle hours here in this world; his time did not lie upon his hands as ours do; he was always either preaching or praying, or working miracles; either paying homage to God or doing good to man.

Lord, help us to imitate this thy instructive example, by embracing all opportunities of glorifying God, and doing good to one another.