"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
Jesus would always find time for prayer — or make time for it. If His days were full of excitement and toil — He would take time out of His sleep for communing with God. At least He never allowed Himself to be robbed of His hours of devotion.
There are some Christians who think they are excused from prayer and meditation in secret — because they are so busy. Their work presses them so in the morning — that they cannot possibly get time to pray. Their cares occupy them so all day — that they do not find one quiet moment to go alone with God. In the evening — there are so many social or other engagements, meetings, societies, parties; or they are so tired, that prayer is crowded out. The example of Christ speaks its solemn rebuke of all such trifling. We must find time for communion with God — or God will not find time to bless us!
There are some people, also, who claim that they can pray and commune with God, just as well in one public as in private. They do their praying while they walk about, and while they work. They see no use in going apart from others, to pray. Surely if anyone could pray well in a crowd or while engaged in work — Jesus could. No doubt He did hold communion with His Father even in His busiest hours — but this did not meet all the needs and longings of His soul. He left the crowd, left even His own disciples — and retired into places where no eye but God's could see Him — where no human footfall or voice could interrupt the quiet of His soul, and where He would be absolutely alone!
Surely if Jesus required such conditions in praying — then we do too. We need to find a place for prayer, in which nothing can intrude to break the continuity of thought or devotion. "But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you!" Matthew 6:6
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J.R. Miller (1840 - 1912)
Prolific author and pastor of Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois, Rev. James Russell Miller served the USCC as a field agent in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Cumberland.J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia. J.R. Miller D.D.'s lasting fame is through his over 50 books. Many are still in publication.
James Russell Miller (March 20, 1840 - July 2, 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
In 1857, James entered Beaver Academy and in 1862 he progressed to Westminster College, Pennsylvania, which he graduated in June, 1862. Then in the autumn of that year he entered the theological seminary of the United Presbyterian Church at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller resumed his interrupted studies at the Allegheny Theological Seminary in the fall of 1865 and completed them in the spring of 1867. That summer he accepted a call from the First United Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He was ordained and installed on September 11, 1867.
J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia.
Five years later, in 1880, Dr. Miller became assistant to the Editorial Secretary at the The Presbyterian Board of Publication, also in Philadelphia.