While Jesus observes a rhythm of public work (healings, exorcisms, teaching and preaching) in Mark’s gospel, we are also given a sense of the importance He places on prayer.  Getting up early, before everyone else, before the sun comes up, Jesus exhibits a prayer life that is an axle around which everything else He does revolves.  He goes off to a quiet place to pray…and finds His strength renewed—like an eagle’s.  Paul gives us a behind-the-scene sneak peak at his missional strategy:  all things to all people, so as to save some.