As Was His Custom: Prayer
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Prayer in the life of a believer is both essential and incredibly powerful. Prayer is, perhaps, the most important aspect of one’s life in God. Prayer is how we connect with God the Father and participate with him in His work on the earth. To be effective as a believer, we need to learn how to pray-to be continual students of prayer. What better way than by learning directly from the prayer life of Jesus!
Jesus (Yeshua) And His Practice of Prayer
In the account of Jesus’ earthly life and ministry, prayer is woven into every part of his story. Prayer is so intricately entwined into who Jesus is and how he ministered that one simply cannot separate who Jesus was from the prayer life he embraced. To be Jesus was to pray.
Jesus prayed in desolate places. Jesus prayed among crowds. Jesus prayed in the morning, and he prayed in the evening. Jesus prayed on the hilltop, and he prayed in homes. Jesus’ prayer life and what compelled him to pray speaks volumes for our own lives as we seek to emulate Jesus and be more like him.
As Philip Yancey noted,
“Jesus valued prayer enough to spend many hours at the task. If I had to answer the question, ‘Why pray?’ in one sentence, it would be, ‘Because Jesus did.’ He bridged the chasm between God and human beings. While on earth he became vulnerable, as we are vulnerable; rejected, as we are rejected; and tested, as we are tested. In every case his response was prayer.” (1)
Jesus’ Custom Of Prayer
Throughout the gospels, Jesus prayed:
1- To Commune with God
First and foremost, Jesus’ prayer life points us to his deep relationship with and dependence on the Father. His practice of prayer included getting alone “in a desolate place” to pray (See here to read more about Jesus’ practice of solitude) as well as simply praying to connect with God wherever he might be. Jesus regularly prayed primarily to connect with His Father.
“And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone…” (Matthew 14:23)
“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.” (Mark 1:35)
“Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”’ (Luke 3:21-22)
“In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.” (Luke 6:12)
“Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him…” Luke 9:18 (Jesus communed with God even in the midst of others).
Jesus communed regularly with God for the sole purpose of being close to and with his Father. In our fast-paced world, it can be easy to forget that it’s not only ok but quite profitable to simply stop and be with the Father. No further agenda needed.
2 - To Give Thanks
Whether to bless a meal or to simply acknowledge God for his provision and goodness, Jesus also often prayed in thanksgiving and to bless a meal.
“...He took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.” (Matthew 15:36)
““Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.”’ (Matthew 26:26)
“When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.” (Luke 24:30)
“Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.” (John 6:11)
I love noting and observing Jesus’ practice of praying in thanksgiving before a meal. It is a beautiful reminder that rather than merely a rote religious exercise, the act of authentically acknowledging God’s provision regularly as we partake of every meal has the power to keep us rooted in gratitude and dependence on a God who cares intimately for His own.
3 - To Cry out to God / Align with God’s Will
While Jesus was fully God, he was also fully man. He identified with and endured the temptations and struggles we face as humans in a broken world. Jesus’ prayer life reflected this truth as he battled in prayer to overcome sin and continually align himself with God’s will.
When raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus cried out to God, “‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.’” (John 11:41b-42)
In prophesying his death, Jesus cries out to God in the midst of a crowd: “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” (John 12:27-28a)
Just before Jesus’ arrest (knowing what was to come), Jesus prayed in Gethsemane to his Father: “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39b). He prayed a similar prayer two more times throughout that same night as he sought to align with God’s plan.
On the cross, Jesus cried out to God, saying “‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”’ (Matthew 27:46b)
Just before he died on the cross, Jesus cried out, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46)
Jesus’ example of crying out to God reminds me of David’s exhortation in Psalm 62:8: “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” There is significant power in “pouring out our hearts” before a loving and faithful God as we seek to align with His plan, even when we’re uncertain or even in anguish. Jesus modeled this beautifully.
4 - To Intercede on Behalf of / Bless / Heal Others
We often correlate prayer with intercession, and rightly so. Jesus shows us that as God’s children, we have the privilege of interceding, or intervening, on behalf of another to our Heavenly Father, and we can believe in faith that our prayers have an impact!
Jesus prays over the children to bless them in Matthew 19: “Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away.”’
Before Peter’s Denial, Jesus tells him, “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” (Luke 22:32a)
In Mark 7, Jesus prays for a deaf and mute man and heals him. “And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, ‘Ephphatha,’ that is, ‘Be opened.’ And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.” (Mark 7:34-35)
In Mark 9, Jesus heals a boy with an unclean spirit.
On the cross as he was being crucified, Jesus intercedes for those responsible for his death: “And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”’ (Luke 23:34)
Jesus’ last act on earth before he ascended to heaven was to pray for and bless his disciples. “While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.” (Luke 24:51-53)
Even after his ascension, Jesus continues to intercede on behalf of His beloved.
“Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34)
“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
“For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.” (Hebrews 9:24)
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
The prayer life of Jesus as an intercessor both motivates me and assures me. Reflecting on his example, I’m motivated and propelled forward to pray regularly and fervently on behalf of those he has placed in my life and sphere of influence, following God’s great plan. And, I’m assured, knowing that even now Jesus continues to intercede on my behalf. As beloved children, we are being blessed and spoken of in the throneroom of heaven.
What Jesus Taught about Prayer
While we learn a great deal about prayer simply by observing Jesus’ own personal prayer life, he also intentionally taught us about prayer and, more specifically, our posture in prayer and how to pray.
In Luke 11:1-4, one of Jesus’ disciples directly asked Jesus: “Lord, teach us to pray...”
Jesus’ response? The Lord’s Prayer.
“When you pray, say:
‘Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”
Entire books have been written on this one simple prayer, and yet what might be most powerful to point out is the simplicity of Jesus’ response. Jesus did not give his disciples a 10-part sermon series on prayer with complicated theological truths.
“In less than 40 words, he teaches us that prayer is, in fact, not complicated. Prayer is a relationship. Prayer is continual. Prayer expresses dependence. Prayer is a declaration of faith. ”
As well, throughout his teaching ministry, we learn further how to pray.
Jesus taught us to:
1 - Pray for an Audience of One
Jesus exhorts us to test our motivation for prayer to ensure it is not for earthly recognition.
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:5-6)
2 - Pray Persistently and with Faith
Persistence and faith in prayer go hand in hand. We can be bold because we know God hears us, and that our prayers following His will are filled with impact.
In the parable of the persistent widow, Jesus encourages his church to stay persistent in prayer, “that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1b)
Immediately after teaching his disciples the Lord’s Prayer, he tells the story of the man who asks his friend for bread at midnight, reminding us to ask, seek, and knock. “For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Luke 11:5-13)
In Mark 11:24, Jesus reminds his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Jesus can speak such bold words to his disciples who have learned to “deny (themselves) and take up (their) cross and follow (Jesus).” (3)
3 - Pray with Humility
Jesus teaches us that the right heart posture in prayer is critical.
In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, we are taught by Jesus to pray in humility. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14b)
In his public prayer in Matthew 11:25 (also in Luke 10:21), Jesus addresses and thanks His Father, saying “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.”
We are taught by Jesus to seek the heart of God with authentic humility and trust as seen in the heart of a child rather than with self-exaltation in our prayers.
4 - Pray in Authenticity
Above all, Jesus teaches us that effective prayer is authentic and not merely words. “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24)
How Can We Follow Jesus In This Way?
One thing that stands out most to me when I look at Jesus, his prayer life, and his teaching on prayer is the impact that a life of authentic prayer can have. When Jesus prayed, mountains moved. The deaf were healed. The lame walked. Hearts were opened. Lives were changed. The power? It stemmed from Jesus’ alignment with the Father. Our life with God in prayer can only be as powerful as our level of trust in and obedience to Him.
Just as Jesus’ prayer life is immersed in his constant communion with God, our own prayer lives only find meaning when our whole lives are interwoven in communion with Him. We can follow Jesus in his example of prayer simply by doing the same.
Consider one way you can follow in Jesus’ footsteps this week as it pertains to prayer:
As Jesus modeled, get away by yourself for a set period of time simply to commune with God. Wait on Him. Be content to simply be with Him. Ask Him to speak clearly to your heart and teach you how to hear His voice more clearly.
As we saw Jesus bless his food, be intentional to stop and authentically give thanks at set meal times throughout your day. Use this time to cultivate a heart of gratitude and dependence on our Father, who “gives us this day our daily bread.”
Just as Jesus cried out to his Father, if you’re going through a time of uncertainty or emotional pain, take some time to “pour out your heart” before God. I find it helpful to express such prayers by journaling. God will certainly meet you there.
In alignment with Jesus’ role as an intercessor, ask God to lay someone on your heart to pray daily for over the next week. Don’t tell the person you’re praying for them. Just partner with God to bring His goodness into their life-perhaps ask Him to let you be witness to it. See what He will do!
I’m confident God will meet you mightily in your prayer life through one simple act of faith IN HIM.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing…If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (John 15:5-8)
(1) Yancey, P., Prayer. Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, p. 50.
(2) “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” John 5:14-15, ESV.
(3) Matthew 16:24, ESV.
