Prayer is an essential part of our relationship with God. He delights in being with us, hearing our joys and burdens, thoughts and questions, and revealing more of Himself. Believers who want to develop a more powerful prayer life will find no better example to learn from than God’s Son, Jesus.
The prayer life of Jesus was vibrant and varied. He spent time lifting up His private concerns, while also using prayer to bless and teach others He encountered. And prayer went far beyond ritual for Him – it was a way to express heartfelt worship to His Father.
Jesus’ prayers reflect a great need of, and devotion to, God. And He wanted His Disciples to see how essential the habit of prayer was for their faith. His words should inspire Christians today as well.
In the Bible, Jesus shows a prayer attitude that is pleasing to our Heavenly Father. The term He often used toward God, “Abba,” describes the sense of intimacy that a child has for a father. And the word also implies a desire to obey the Father. Scripture says that since we, too, are children of God, we should approach our Heavenly Father the same way.
“Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father’” (Galatians 4:6).
And here are some ways we can model our prayers after Jesus:
Jesus said He was “always about my Father’s business.” And prayer was a major way He stayed deeply connected to His Father’s heart.
“Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-10).
“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).
If we ask, God will reveal His plan to us as well, and what part we are to play in it.
Jesus cultivated a habit of meeting alone with His Father every day. Our Lord treasured these moments of peace with the One who completely knew and loved Him.
“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).
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16).
In the quiet times we set aside, we can fully share with God and better sense His presence.
In order to fulfill His mission on Earth, Jesus leaned on His Father. The Lord found the wisdom to make right decisions on the way, and the strength to finish the journey.
“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” (Luke 3:21-22).
“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).
By reaching for God in both joyful and challenging moments, we’ll experience more of His fellowship and peace each day.
Jesus had complete confidence in God’s provision for His children. So no matter the situation He faced, Jesus turned to His Father.
“‘Have faith in God,’ Jesus answered. ‘Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours’” (Mark 11:22-24).
We too can lift up our needs to God, assured that He will always work on our behalf.
Jesus took every opportunity to teach the people around Him. Using parables, lessons, and even prayer, He helped many come to know Him, and God the Father, in a more personal way.
“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, ‘God’s Messiah.’ Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, ‘The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life’” (Luke 9:18-22).
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7).
If we make ourselves available, God can use our prayers to help others meet Him, and to grow in faith.
Jesus interceded, or prayed on behalf of others, all through His earthly ministry. Sometimes it was for healing, other times it was meant to bring salvation and to grow a person spiritually.
“Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there” (Matthew 19:13-15).
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32).
“When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals — one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’” (Luke 23:33-34).
Countless opportunities are all around us to demonstrate God’s compassion and grace by lifting others up.
Jesus publicly thanked God for His provision. During His miracles and as He revealed new truths to people, Jesus always acknowledged and appreciated God’s mercy on all His children.
“Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish” (John 6:11).
“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 is what you were pleased to do’” (Matthew 11:25-26).
“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me’” (Luke 22:19).
It’s important for us also to remember and give praise for the many ways God blesses us.
In John 17, Jesus makes a passionate plea for His disciples. And as He met with His Heavenly Father, The Lord’s words revealed a God-centered mind and heart. If we commit to praying as Jesus did, qualities that resemble His will become part of our nature:
A desire to glorify God almighty.
“Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you” (John 17:1).
A willingness to join God in His marvelous work.
“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4).
A longing for rich connection with God and other Christians.
“I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:20-21).
A hopeful expectation of an amazing future with God.
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world” (John 17:24).
A full reliance on God for security and shelter.
“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. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me” (John 17:11-12).
For Jesus, prayer was a lifeline, keeping Him strongly connected to The Father. He rejoiced, pondered, and cried out, all with an acknowledgement of God’s supremacy. Let’s follow our Lord’s lead – it will make us into prayer warriors who glorify God and impact the world.
He is a cross pendant.
He is engraved with a unique Number.
He will mail it out from Jerusalem.
He will be sent to your Side.
Emmanuel
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