And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Comment: Not that Jesus stopped His healing ministry but it had so hedged Him in that He escaped in the dark hours to a place without the watching crowd. He prayed. His disciples caught up with Him and wanted Him to get back to His healing Ministry. But He, dare I say, snuck off to other towns to share His Ministry. Although He still healed, it sounds as if the main emphasis was on preaching, and, I suspect, with all the authority that was heard in His first-described sermon.
Prayer: It seems as if there is only so much that any person can do – even Your perfect Man, Jesus. Help us, Lord, to live lives balanced by what You call us to do.
As I read it! 
Thank you Barry for your comments on this passage. Jesus escaped under the cover of darkness, and prayed to His Father. We need to follow His example and do this too. His healing ministry was important, but the most important ministry was to preach God’s Word, God’s love, God’s forgiveness, God’s Salvation. So too today, the ministry of prayer and healing is important, but preaching God’s Word is the No. 1 thing God wants us to do. God bless you.
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