Articles
Jesus' Prayer Life
When we when we study the life, work, and power of Jesus, we are studying vital aspects of His time on earth. One important facet of Jesus’ humanity Jesus and prayer. Jesus taught His disciples “Men ought to always pray, and not to faint.” Throughout His From beginning to end of His ministry His life of prayer from day to day reveals the full meaning of that relationship to His Father. And of course, He provides an example for us. When did Jesus pray?
He prayed at His baptism. At the age of twelve, after worshiping in Jerusalem and leaving for home, Jesus’ parents could not find their son. Returning to the temple, they found him studying with the Jewish teachers. Jesus made it clear about His mission in the world. When time came for Jesus’ ministry to begin, He was baptized by John the Baptist) Matthew 3:13-17). Only Luke mentions the matter of prayer (Luke 3:21-22). When someone is baptized it is a good time to pray.
Before the day dawned, Jesus often prayed in preparation for life’s demands. Each day was dedicated and sanctified by prayer. We find strength to meet trials and temptations and disappointments in prayer. At the close of day is a good time to pray. We probably all resort to prayer when we are in need, when we reach the end of our rope, the end of our resources, and when we need help. But we need to pray in times of success, too. Jesus, although He worked the miracle producing loaves and fishes, He still stopped to give thanks (John 6:11). When we are strong, proud, and self-sufficient, let us remember where our blessings come from.
Have you ever spent all night in prayer? Jesus did. Are there times in life when you must make momentous decisions—decisions about your future life’s work, your marriage, your job? Luke 6:12-13 says: “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.”
In John 17 Jesus prayed to His Father for Himself and for His disciples. He spoke of His accomplished work; yet, He knew His disciples would need strength for their work. He would not take them out of the world, but He would pray for them as they remained in the world, working in the kingdom. Let us remember that as Jesus was dying on the cross, He prayed for those who were killing Him. “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” 1 Peter 2: 21 says: “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” Let us follow Christ in His prayer life; let us follow Christ in everything.
