One of the many blessings experienced by the apostles during the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry was the opportunity to hear Him pray. In Luke 11:1, one of His disciples requested, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” In the immediate context, Jesus gave an example of prayer, what is typically dubbed “The Lord’s Prayer.” The request infers the disciple considered Jesus to be an expert, proficient in prayer. Indeed, there is no one more qualified to teach someone how to pray. He was their perfect example of prayer – He is our perfect example of prayer. Let us learn from Jesus’ prayer life.
In this series of articles, we will be looking at several topics surrounding Jesus’ teachings and example of prayer. We’ll discuss elements of His prayer life (frequency, privacy, longevity), prayer principles from the sermon on the mount, the power of prayer, what we should pray for, and examples of Jesus’ prayers.
An Early Foundation for Prayer
Very little is revealed about Jesus’ childhood, let alone about spiritual activity in His childhood. It is worth noting that both His parents were upright individuals who believed in God. Joseph is described as “…a just man…” (Matthew 1:19) who believed and acted upon the word of the angels who appeared to and instructed him (Matthew 1:20-25; 2:13-15, 19-23). Mary also believed the word of the angel sent to her (Luke 1:26-38) and submitted herself to the will of God. Mary praised God for His goodness and expressed her confidence in the faithfulness of God (Luke 1:46-55). It is certainly reasonable to assume Jesus grew up in a spiritually focused home with Joseph and Mary.
The Bible gives a record of a single occasion when Jesus was 12 years old which reveals the importance of spiritual things in His life from an early age. After being in Jerusalem for a feast, His family departed for Galilee, but Jesus lingered behind at the temple. He was listening to and asking questions of the teachers. Luke states, “…all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers” (Luke 2:47). Joseph and Mary returned to Jerusalem looking for Jesus, and when they found Him, His mother expressed their worry and concern. He asked her, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (v 49). We cannot be certain exactly how much Jesus knew about His role at that time, but He knew He needed to serve the Father in heaven. A few verses later, Luke would speak of our Lord’s growth – He “…increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52)
Spiritual growth and an aptitude for prayer are not dependent upon early spiritual influences in our lives. However, having parents or others who are focused on serving the Lord is a blessing in those formative years. Whether we had such or not, let us determine to affect the young people in our lives for good for the Lord’s sake. May we lead our children, our grandchildren and other young people as we have opportunity to love the Lord and to be devout in prayer to Him.
Prayer In The Midst Of Trials
Matthew 4 (cf. Luke 4) tells us about Jesus being tested in the wilderness. The text doesn’t mention prayer– and yet surely it does! Prayer and fasting go hand-in-hand when facing trials.
- Daniel 9:3, “Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplication, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.”
- Matthew 17:21, concerning a demon the disciples were unable to cast out, Jesus said, “…this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
- 1 Corinthians 7:5, to married couples, Paul wrote, “Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer…”
Not all prayer is accompanied by fasting, and not all fasting is accompanied by prayer (ie. fasting for bloodwork). However, when difficult times are upon us, it is profitable to devote ourselves to prayer and fasting. Jesus, faced with temptation and trial, gave Himself to prayer and fasting. He also found solace and comfort in prayer during time of sorrow and loss. Matthew 14 speaks about the death of John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin (v 10-12). Our Lord wanted to spend time alone to mourn John’s death, and no doubt to be in prayer with the Father (v 13). When difficulties are upon us, we should go to God for comfort and help (2 Corinthians 1:3-4), we should cast our “…care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Pray Without Ceasing
The apostle Paul gave a series of short admonitions towards the close of his first epistle to the church at Thessalonica. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we read, “Pray without ceasing.” Jesus is an example of such.
Luke 5:16 says of Jesus, “He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” In the context, the Lord’s popularity was growing. Many were coming to hear Him and to be healed by Him. He loved the crowds, He wanted to serve and teach the people, but He also understood the need for alone time with the Father.
What do we do to “get away from it all”? What does our going “into the wilderness” look like? Do we watch TV? Read a book? Listen to music? Play video games? I’m not suggesting it is wrong to do these things but do we pray? If we want to pray like Jesus, we will seek to withdraw often, to find alone time, and devote that time to prayer.
How constant are we in prayer? Obviously, Paul’s point is not that we must pray 24/7. But what is our habit when it comes to prayer? Do we pray before meals? Do we pray at church? Do we pray when we get up? Do we pray before we go to bed? Do we pray in the middle of the day?
The Scriptures tell us it was Daniel’s custom from early days to pray three times each day (Daniel 6:10). I don’t think that means three times maximum, but three scheduled times. How frequent was Jesus in prayer? Was it 3x? 4x? 5x? 6x? We’re never told, but consider what both Luke and Mark tell us about His prayer habits:
“…it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” (Luke 6:12)
“...in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” (Mark 1:35)
Prayers do not have to be long. Some of the most needful and helpful prayers may be very short, momentary prayers. In fact, one of my favourite prayers in the Bible is Nehemiah 2:4. There are no words recorded, and there was but a moment to utter just a few words under his breath to the Lord (it is unlikely Nehemiah told King Artaxerxes to wait while he went away to pray). The Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-13, an example of prayer, is 5 verses long and takes about 20 seconds to read. There is a time and place for short prayers, but in Jesus we also see there is a time and place for longer prayers. According to Luke, Jesus was in prayer all night. Friend, it would do us good to spend a night in prayer.
Matthew 16:13ff speaks about Jesus’ conversation with the apostles wherein He asked, “who do men say that I am?” and again, “who do you say that I am?” Luke 9:18 is a parallel text, but the good doctor reveals something Matthew did not. He wrote,
“…it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’”
Eight days later, Matthew tells us about the transfiguration mount with Peter, James, and John. Again, Luke’s account reveals something Matthew did not. Luke 9:28 reads:
“…it came to pass, about eight days after these things, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.”
Jesus was a constant example and reminder to His people of the importance of prayer. There were times when He went off to pray alone, but other times such as Luke 9:28 where He urged the apostles to pray with Him. May we be consistent in our personal prayer habits, but also seek occasions where we can encourage one another by praying together, whether in small groups or as a congregation.
We need to be people of prayer. The cure for a lack of prayer is to begin praying.
Conclusion
Corrie Ten Boom was a Dutch watchmaker and writer who helped many Jews escape the Holocaust during WWII. She was eventually caught and sent to a Nazi concentration camp herself. Among the many great quotes she is credited with is this:
Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it.
Another quote, from Adventist Matilda Erikson Andross:
When prayer has become secondary, or incidental, it has lost its power. Those Who are conspicuously men of prayer are those who use prayer as they use food, or air, or light, or money.
Friend, may we develop good prayer habits. May we always seek the Lord and speak to the Lord.
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This article appeared in Meditate On These Things, 2024-06
Links: YouVersion | GROW magazine
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