Prayer was important for Christ. . .
There are 17 references to Jesus prayer life in the gospels. Jesus modeled a life of prayer for us. He prayed often, He prayed early in the morning, late at night, all through the night. He prayed before critical events in His life. He prayed as He ministered to others. He prayed before His miracles. And He prayed for others.
When Jesus Prayed:
Early
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 NIV)
Late
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. (Luke 6:12 NIV)
Often
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:16 NIV)
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” (Luke 22:39 NIV)
At critical moments, Jesus prayed! From the beginning of His public ministry to the end, Jesus prayed at every critical moment of His life.
Jesus prayed at the beginning of His ministry. . .
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”(Luke 3:21-22 NIV)
Jesus prayed before He chose the men who would carry on His ministry after he death. . .
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles (Luke 6:12-13 NIV)
Jesus prayed before the confession that He was the Christ. . .
Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life. “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” (Luke 9:18-20 NIV)
Jesus prayed before His Transfiguration . . .
About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. (Luke 9:28-29 NIV)
Jesus prayed before the cross . . .
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:39-42 NIV)
Jesus prayed on the cross . . .
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (Luke 23:34 NIV)
From the beginning of His public ministry to the end, Jesus demonstrated dependence upon His Father by praying before, during, and after He ministered to people.
Jesus prayed before He began His public ministry. . .
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”(Luke 3:21-22 NIV)
Jesus prayed before He taught His followers. . .
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. (NIV) Mark 1:35
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” (NIV) Luke 11:1
He prayed while He was teaching others. . .
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. (NIV) Matthew 11:25-26
Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. (NIV) Matthew 15:36
Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. (NIV) Matthew 19:13
He prayed after He ministered to others. . .
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, (NIV) Matthew 14:23
Jesus prayed before healing the crowds. . .
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. (NIV) Mark 1:35
Jesus prayed before He fed over 5,000 people. . .
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. (NIV) Mark 6:41
Jesus prayed before healing the man who was deaf and mute. . .
He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”). (NIV) Mark 7:34
Jesus prayed before bringing the dead back to life . . .
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” (NIV) John 11:41-43
Jesus prayed for His friends. . .
But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. (NIV) Luke 22:32
Jesus prayed for His disciples. . .
9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name the name you gave me so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. (NIV) John 17:9-16
Jesus prayed for all Christians. . .
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, (NIV) John 17:20
Jesus prayed for those who nailed Him to the cross. . .
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (NIV) Luke 23:34
Jesus represents us to the Father at Heaven’s throne. . .
Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (NIV) Hebrews 7:25
(Note: Jesus’ intercession is His representation of His people at the throne of God. Those who have a relationship with Christ, are able to draw near to God in prayer because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.)
Anchoring Deeper:
When do you pray? Is prayer a big enough priority in your life that you will get up early or stay up late?
Have you ever spent the night in prayer? Or extended time in prayer talking with your Father?
Do you pray often? Would others say, “As usual he\she is praying”?
Who do you turn to at the critical moments in your life? Do you rely on your own strength, your own knowledge? Do you turn to others? Or do you turn to God?
When you are faced with decisions, how quickly (or how slowly) do you turn to God for the answers?
What are you facing today that you need God’s wisdom? Remember, He is sovereign, He knows the past, present and future. He is all powerful. He knows what’s best for you. And He loves you! Follow Jesus’ example and turn to God when you face the critical moments. . . and the small day to day decisions!
If communicating with His Father was that important to Jesus, shouldn’t it be a priority for us?
Are you facing a seemingly insurmountable task? an hopeless situation? a impossible person? Have you turned to God?
Only God can do the impossible. . . For nothing is impossible with God.” (NIV) Luke 1:37
Who do you pray for? your family? friends? neighbors? coworkers? enemies? missionaries? leaders? ministers? teachers?
Is praying for others a big enough priority in your life that you will get up early or stay up late to devote the adequate time in prayer for them?
