“Ministry flows from communion, and power flows more from prayer in a quiet place than from praise in a crowded city.”

Ministry flows from communion, and power flows more from prayer in a quiet place than from praise in a crowded city.

As I meditate on the words, “But the news about Jesus spread even more, and many people came to hear his words and to have their diseases healed. But Jesus often withdrew to quiet places to pray” [Modern Korean Bible: “However, Jesus’ fame spread even more widely, and many people gathered to hear His words and be healed. Yet Jesus often went to quiet places to pray”] (Luke 5:15–16), I seek the lessons they teach.

(1) Personal Reflections on Prayer and Ministry: When I meditated on this passage on December 26, 2024, the theme that came to mind was: “The Backbone of All Jesus’ Ministry (His Public Life).” At that time, I reflected on Mark 1:35: “Very early in the morning, Jesus got up, went to a secluded place, and was praying.” From this, I drew six reflections on prayer:

(a) Early Morning Prayer: I believe that perhaps the Korean church’s tradition of early morning prayer originates from this passage.

(b) Quiet Time: “Very early in the morning” represents intentional quiet time. Hymn “Go, Carry they Burden to Jesus” verse 1 and refrain comes to mind: “Go, carry thy burden to Jesus, And lay down thy load at His feet, Where Calvary's cross is uplifted, Find pardon and comforting sweet. O, steal away softly to Jesus, To Him let thy heart be outpoured; Thy Father, who seeth in secret, Shall give thee a gracious reward.”

(d) Secluded Place: The term “secluded place” (Korean Modern Bible: “quiet place”) signifies a personal, undisturbed location for prayer. Mark 6:32 says: “So Jesus and His companions got into a boat and went to a quiet place.” Each of us needs our own personal quiet place for communion with God.

(e) Solitude vs. Loneliness: Reflecting on Jesus’ habit of going to quiet times and places for prayer, I recall Henri Nouwen’s teaching: we should transform a lonely wilderness into a garden of solitude. The distinction is that loneliness is merely being alone, while solitude is being with God. Yet, even while living in the midst of a bustling city rather than a wilderness, we often feel loneliness. In fact, the loneliness we experience in crowds can be more frightening than solitude in the wilderness. What is worse is our inability to transform this urban loneliness into a garden of solitude. We fail to experience the power of prayer because we prefer speaking to friends rather than God, listening to human voices rather than God’s. We choose the internet over private communion with God. Although Immanuel God is always present with us, we often fail to perceive His presence because we do not embrace solitude but resist loneliness. We must grow accustomed to being alone and practice being quietly alone with God in heart. Through such training, we experience God’s presence and learn to transform the lonely wilderness of life into a garden of solitude.

(f) The Backbone of Ministry: Jesus’ habit of praying alone in quiet times and places, maintaining intimate fellowship with the Father, was the true backbone of all His public ministry.

(2) Observations from Luke 5:15–16: Luke 5:15-16 says, “But the news about Jesus spread even more, and many people came to hear his words and be healed. But Jesus often withdrew to quiet places to pray.”

(a) Jesus’ Priorities: I was struck by the fact that Jesus withdrew to quiet places for prayer even as crowds gathered to hear Him and seek healing. If rumors about me were to spread online and people came seeking God’s word through me, I might feel compelled to minister immediately and see it as a grace-filled opportunity. Yet Jesus’ example reminds me that the first priority is not activity but communion with God.

(i) Personal Reflection on Priorities: On Thanksgiving Day, I spoke with my beloved son, Dillon, about how we, as servants called by God, must follow Jesus’ example: the priority is not ministry itself but intimate fellowship with God. Recently, the Holy Spirit has been granting me the grace of private communion with God in the sanctuary of Victory Presbyterian Church. Today, as I meditate on Luke 5:16, the Spirit reminds me again that my priority must remain communion with God rather than mere activity. This echoes Acts 16, where the Spirit redirected Paul’s ministry plans, showing that God’s priorities may differ from human priorities.

(ii) Previous Meditation on Trinity and Fellowship: On July 22, 2020, I reflected on the following: Through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, we enjoy intimate fellowship with the Father (who shows us great love), and the Son (who gave His life for our sins). In this communion, we experience joy, obey His commandments, and love one another. From such fellowship come four blessings of obedience: (1) confidence in truth, (2) strength of heart before God, (3) answered prayers, and (4) assurance of Christ dwelling in us through the Spirit (1 Jn. 3:24; 2:2; 3:16). By dwelling in fellowship with the Trinity through the Spirit, we receive the blessings of obedience.

(3) Three Greek Terms in Luke 5:16:

(a) “Withdrew” — ὑποχωρῶν (hypochōrōn):

(i) This word appears only once elsewhere in Luke 9:10. It shows that Jesus withdrew with purpose: (1) Luke 5:16: Jesus repeatedly withdrew from crowds to commune with the Father; solitude and prayer were essential, not optional. (2) Luke 9:10: Jesus withdraws after intense public ministry to bring the twelve disciples to a quiet place, showing that withdrawal is for rest, evaluation, and preparation for the next stage (e.g., feeding the 5,000).

· Pattern observed: Engagement → Solitude → Restoration → Preparation. This rhythm preserves spiritual vitality while sustaining outward ministry. We are called to follow this same rhythm.

(b) “Quiet place” — ἐρήμοις (erēmois)

(i) Originally, this means an uncultivated, uninhabited place. Figuratively, it refers to a secluded location offering undisturbed quiet.

· The wilderness paradoxically becomes a place where God reveals His power and provision.

(ii) The “Wilderness Motif” of Jesus illustrates four points:

· (1) Temptation and Victory: Jesus triumphs where Israel failed (Mt. 4:1):

· (2) Prayer and Solitude: Solitude is strategic, not escapism; ministry flows from communion, and power flows from prayer in desolate places more than from praise in crowded cities.

· (3) Miracles of Provision: Feeding of the 5,000 occurs in deserted areas, demonstrating God’s limitless provision.

· (4) Instruction and Revelation: The wilderness unveils the Messiah to those who seek Him (Mt. 11:7; Lk. 7:24).

- Among the four wilderness motifs of Jesus, the second one, “Prayer and Solitude,” is based on today’s passage, Luke 5:16. Regarding this wilderness motif, I fully agree with the statement, “Solitude is not an escape but a strategic recharging. Ministry flows out of fellowship, and power flows more from prayer in a desolate place than from praise in a city crowded with people.”

n Although my instinct prefers ministering in a bustling city full of people, what the Lord desires from me is, like Jesus, to withdraw to a quiet place and, relying on the merits of Jesus’ cross, follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit He gives, and have intimate fellowship with God the Father in heaven. In the words of Henri Nouwen, I wish to devote myself to transforming the lonely wilderness into a garden of solitude. When reflecting on the difference between loneliness and solitude, loneliness is considered merely being alone, whereas solitude is being with God. Yet, even though we live not in a wilderness but in the midst of a city, we still feel loneliness. We live experiencing a loneliness among crowds that is even more frightening than the loneliness of the wilderness. What is even more frightening is that, in the midst of these crowds, we are powerless to transform this loneliness into a garden of solitude. In other words, we are not experiencing the power of prayer. Instead of conversing with God, we prefer to talk to our close friends; rather than listening to God’s voice, we prefer to hear the voice of people; and even when alone, we feel the internet is closer than the time spent with God. Although Immanuel God is always with us, we fail to sense His presence. Why is that? I think it is because we cannot enjoy solitude but intensely dislike loneliness. I believe we need to become somewhat accustomed to loneliness. We also need training in being alone with a quiet heart in a quiet place. Through such training, experiencing God’s presence, we must cultivate the ability to transform a lonely wilderness into a garden of solitude.

(i) Literally meaning “to exchange desires,” this term conveys interaction between human will and God’s will through faith. Prayer is closely linked to faith (Acts 6:5–6; 14:22–23; Eph. 6:16–18; Col. 1:3–4; 2 Thess. 3:1–2; James 5:13–15; Jude 20).

· Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane exemplifies this: “Not my will, but yours be done” (Matt 26:39; Mark 14:36).

- Likewise, Abraham (Rom 4:21) was fully persuaded that God could fulfill His promises, even in impossible circumstances. This faith, dependent on God’s power and omnipotence, is the model of genuine belief.

n I pray that the Lord humbles my heart through trials and convinces me fully that He can fulfill His promises (e.g., Mt. 16:18; Jn. 6:1–15), enabling me to pray in quiet places, saying as Jesus did: “Not my will, but Yours be done.”