You would think that he would not want to be isolated and be in lonely places ever again after the 40 days in the desert. But it was quite the opposite. He needed prayer and connection with His Father at a very significant level.

Look at all the times Jesus was withdrawing himself for prayer.

“At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place” (Luke 4:42).

It says “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16).

But it wasn’t just the desert, he also went to mountains.

“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God” (Luke 6:12).

And then there are so many other times he withdrew to pray:

“Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him” (Luke 9:18)

“Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray” (Luke 9:28).

And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white (Luke 9:29)

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place (Luke 11:1)

I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:32)

And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed (Luke 22:41)

And being in agony he prayed more earnestly” (Luke 22:44)

The crowds were thick. There was always the needs of the people. They needed deliverance from demons and healing from health issues. Jesus met their needs. But at the same time, he did not let the needs and demands of the people take away from his prayer life.

For him, he loved praying at daybreak. Even before the light shone (Mark 1:35).

I’m sure it was a time of peace then. The people didn’t crowd him so much as the people were in their homes sleeping or preparing food for their families.

And then there’s that phrase that comes back to me time and time again.

“Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16).

I want to be like that. I want to be one who often withdraws to prayer. To not let the needs and demands of life take that away.